The provincial election call last week has increased uncertainties for BC abattoir operators, who have seen demand for local meats surge versus last year as a result of COVID-19. An extension of the feedback window on a rural slaughter modernization intentions paper the province released a week before the election call makes sense to Nova …
slaughter
Closures underscore need for licensing reform
COOMBS – A year ago, Lori Gillis was sounding the alarm about the coming wave of retirements that threatened to drastically reduce meat processing capacity on Vancouver Island. She was 66, and had nearly 23 years’ experience under her belt. “All the butchers – red and poultry – we’re all in the same sort of …
Province expands slaughter licences
PORT ALBERNI – The BC Ministry of Agriculture has announced the opening of three new regions for class D on-farm slaughter licences. Farmers within the Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot, as well as electoral area D in Central Kootenay and electoral area H in Fraser-Fort George Regional District, will now be eligible to apply for class …
Province to consider value-added options
The province plans is preparing to explore options for accommodating value-added activities within the Agricultural Land Reserve. “We’ll be working on a workplan around the economic diversification policy options which include the agritourism, processing and on-farm food and beverage services,” Anna North, an assistant director, policy, with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, told the Certified …
Meat inspection budget tightens
Abattoir operators have been put on notice that regular shifts for provincial meat inspectors must not exceed seven hours a day unless authorized by the province. “I am asking that all slaughter establishment operators adhere strictly to the scheduled inspection services, which do not exceed seven hours per day,” Gavin Last, executive director of the …