New Meat Inspection System Announced
CANADA - Plans for an amended meat inspection system have been unveiled by the government after extensive consultation with ranchers, abattoir operators and local governments.
7 March 2013
2 minute read
Applying to Class A and B butchers, the new system will still stipulate the presence of a trained government meat inspector for each individual slaughter case- before and after slaughter.
The new system will also:
- Require all Class A and B plants to develop and maintain comprehensive written food safety procedures for maintaining meat safety, facility hygiene and animal health and welfare.
- Include the development of an audit program of all Class A and B abattoirs.
- Train inspectors to provincial standards, including enhanced knowledge and skills in humane livestock handling and humane slaughter.
- Maintain third party government inspection and the use of a government stamp on inspected products.
- Maintain the graduated enforcement approach to support the integrity of the inspection system.
Norm Letnick, British Columbia Agricultural Minister, said the meat inspection strikes a balance. He said the amendments provide a system that protects public health and animal welfare while expanding producer, processor and community opportunities.
Cattleman's Association general manager, Kevin Boon praised the government's work, saying: "Our goal as ranchers is to always deliver a safe product to our consumers. With input from industry, we believe the provincial government has done a very good job of developing a system that will satisfy the needs of consumers, producers and processors alike."
Local Store owner, Kevin Kothlow agreed that the new system is a comprehensive that will bring confidence to retailers over product safety and provenance.
The new system will be fully operational on January 1 2014 and replace the previous legislation, in place since 1988.
TheCattleSite News Desk
