The Ministry of Agriculture has released an intentions paper with suggested policy changes to meat processing in rural areas of the province. The changes prioritize food safety and animal welfare. The policy changes are also aimed at strengthening economic opportunities and strengthening the provincial food system.
Some of the changes being considered include, increasing the amount of meat that can be processed annually by Class D and E licenses. Creating alternative models of licensing mobile abattoirs, exploring a pilot program for conducting certain inspection components virtually and renaming the current licence’s to more intuitive categories.
The ministry is also collecting data on, updating licensee training on slaughter practice, animal welfare and food safety. They are also revising the code of practice for abattoir operators and increasing the frequency of government inspector visits to rural abattoirs to an annual basis.
Comments from the public and stakeholders are being accepted until Oct. 19.
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