Local officials are stepping up the pressure on meat processing regulations.
The Regional District of North Okanagan wants an Interior Health Authority representative to attend the agricultural advisory committee and explain why the issue of processing permits has stalled.
“No licenses have been issued to date,” said Rick Fairbairn, RDNO vice-chairperson.
“It’s been some time and nothing has happened.”
In February 2013, the provincial government announced that up to five class E slaughtering licences would be allowed in the North Okanagan as part of a two-year pilot program.
RDNO has been expressing concerns about the meat processing rules since they were first introduced in 2007. Since then, the number of people raising livestock has decreased in the region.
IHA has indicated that applicants have been working at their own pace to get approved. Some of the issues being tackled are ensuring the necessary infrastructure for slaughtering is in place.
“We have not issued a license to date but one applicant is very close and another anticipates completion around May or June,” said Chris Russell, IHA specialist environmental health officer.
Of the five applicants, two are from the Lumby area, two from the Armstrong area and the other is at Gardom Lake.
Fairbairn hopes IHA will attend the meeting as requested.
“We want IHA to explain where they are at with the process and what the problems are,” he said.
