Province funds tissue disposal

The province is providing $500,000 to help BC abattoirs deal with waste animal tissue following slaughter.

“This is great news,” says Nova Woodbury, executive director of the BC Association of Abattoirs, one of a number of industry representatives who advised the province on the funding. “Animal hide prices are low, options for waste disposal are increasingly limited and disposal costs are increasing.”

The funds are the residue of the $5 million Livestock Waste Tissue Initiative the province set up under the BC Waste and Specified Risk Material Handling and Disposal Strategy in 2005.

The program aimed to support processors adapting to new government regulations regarding the disposal of animal tissue. A portion was then made available to municipalities and the program has now been “revitalized” to assist processors.

The funding provides up to $40,000 per applicant to cover half the cost of projects including composting systems, cold storage and transport systems specifically for livestock waste tissue and infrastructure upgrades directly related to livestock waste tissue disposal systems.

All licensed abattoirs located in BC are eligible to apply, as well as BC processors handling Specified Risk Materials (SRM), not-for-profit organizations representing the abattoir and livestock sectors and Indigenous organizations with direct connections to abattoirs and meat processors.

Woodbury says several of her members intend to apply when applications open September 8. The deadline for submissions is September 25 at 4:30pm. Program details are available at [https://iafbc.ca/livestock-waste-tissue-initiative/].

There was a good crowd at the Lake Country Garlic Festival and craft market in Lake Country on Sunday. This was the first time a festival has been held in the area. Hosted at Ghostly Garlic’s farm, about a half dozen garlic producers said sales were good. Brandi-Lee grows several varieties at Bessette Creek Farm at Lumby. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

View Comments

Likes: 4
Shares: 3
Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

BC SPCA is providing further information regarding inspections of commercial farming operations planned for this summer. A dozen operations -- two from each of the beef, turkey, egg, broiler, hog and dairy sectors -- will be subject to unannounced inspections, with at least two inspections set to take place by the end of August. "All specific and identifiable information is privileged and a matter between the farmer and the BC SPCA," the association reports, including instances where access is denied. The inspections are allowed under the province's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which authorizes the BC SPCA to enforce its provisions regarding animal welfare. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

Likes: 3
Shares: 19
Comments: 3

Still would want to see the credentials of the "inspectors" - don't want just kittie cat and doggie dog lovers on my place. Other countries use people with experience in livestock , vet practices and departments of agriculture. These SPCA people seem to want to discredit the present dairy cattle inspections and farm vets already doing that job.

Do donations to the SPCA pay the agents to do these unannounced inspections?

“See And note 14:2 (Believes on reasonable grounds) “ uthority to enter without a warrant 14 (1) In this section, "critical distress" means distress in an animal of such a nature that (a)immediate veterinary treatment cannot prolong the animal's life, (b)prolonging the animal's life would result in the animal suffering unduly, or (c)immediate veterinary intervention is necessary to prevent the imminent death of the animal. (2) An authorized agent who believes on reasonable grounds that there is an animal in critical distress in any premises, other than a dwelling house, or in any vehicle, aircraft or vessel, may enter the premises, vehicle, aircraft or vessel without a warrant for the purpose of taking any action authorized by this Act to relieve that critical distress.” We are talking about “critical distress here” and also “Reasonable grounds” to enter.

Cover cropping, nitrogen management and rotational grazing practices that offer environmental benefits and help improve soil health are eligible for funding through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, a $200 million federal initiative that will run through 2024. Part of the Agriculture Climate Solutions initiative, the projects could lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to two million tonnes by 2024 and by one million tonnes a year afterwards. The deadline for applications is September 26. Announced in this spring’s federal budget, the funding will not be affected by a possible federal election September 20. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. buff.ly/2H3dK8k ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 8
Shares: 2
Comments: 0

With yet another wave of hot weather hitting the province, the BC wildfire season remains “extraordinary," according to Mark Healey of the BC Wildfire Service. Healey addressed residents of Falkland affected by the White Rock Lake fire last night, and said this year is like nothing he’s seen in his 40 years of firefighting. “This is the most volatile fire season I have ever seen,” he said, citing the extremely dry conditions and number of communities impacted. Residents expressed concern over the lack of information provided and ongoing obstacles to using local equipment and expertise. While the BC Wildfire Service, local fire departments and police work together, the divisions and separate responsibilities of each were also highlighted during the townhall. ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 5
Shares: 1
Comments: 0

Congratulations to Morton Serbon of Maximus Vineyard Management, Miguel Angel Fontalvo of Monte Creek Winery and Troy Osborne of Arterra Wines Canada who were all elected by acclamation during the online annual general meeting of the BC Grape Growers Association on August 9. During the same meeting, the BC Wine Grape Council filled five positions on their nine-member board, electing treasurer JP Fowler of Quails' Gate Estate Winery (member-at-large >250 acres), vice chair Ross Wise of Black Hills Estate Winery (winemaker, 20-250 acres), Severine Pinte of La Vieux Pin and Lastella wineries (winemaker, 20-250 acres), Carl Van Der Merwe from Arterra Wines Canada (vineyard > 250 acres), and Michael Abbott of Blue Grouse Estate winery as director representing areas outside the Okanagan. ... See MoreSee Less

Likes: 2
Shares: 0
Comments: 0