Provincial meat inspection regulations continue to draw opposition from local politicians.
The North Okanagan Regional District is objecting to what it believes is the limited scope of the provincial government’s meat inspection review.
“We want the needs of small-scale operators to be respected and listened to,” said director Buffy Baumbrough.
The regional district is also demanding that Victoria find a way for small-scale producers to produce meat and sell it at the farm gate.
“It remains unclear as to how the province would issue class E licenses,” said Baumbrough.
“They haven’t communicated their commitment that small-scale operators won’t be negatively impacted.”
Class E licenses allow for the on-farm slaughter of a small number of animals annually for direct sales to local consumers in rural communities that cannot support a fully licensed facility.
Presently, the licenses are only available along the coast.
“In those areas that are exempt, they (government) are not worried about safety but they are in other areas,” said director Eugene Foisy.
“There seems to be a real double standard.”
In a letter to NORD, Ministry of Health officials state class E licenses will only be issued in the North Okanagan if certain criteria is met.
“Class E licenses will only be issued in cases where an applicant is able to demonstrate a business need for additional slaughter capacity or services beyond what is available through existing class A, B and C (slaughter) facilities in their area,” said Andrew Hazelwood, assistant deputy minister.
“Two-hour travel time (to facilities) is one consideration in the review process.”
Baumbrough said many producers want to slaughter on the farm for financial and social reasons and she isn’t convinced farm gate sales would financially undermine larger, licensed slaughterhouses.
