Meat Processing Get Breaks

By 250 News

Crane on site at Kawano Farms on Old Cariboo highway as slaughterhouse expansion continues


Provincial Agriculture Minister Pat Bell says the inspection regulations scheduled to take effect Sept 30th this year have been extended until Sept 2007.  That will allow industry to meet requirements for a uniform meat inspection system. 

Bell made the announcement today at Kawano farms, in Prince George. 
Shown in the photo at right  is Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Pat Bell, along with Don Davidson of the B.C. Food Processors Association

The meat processing Industry has indicated over the last several months that there were concerns about the financial effects of the regulation’s original implementation timeline. The Ministry, Bell says, has responded with the extension and funding to help industry upgrade or build livestock slaughter facilities. 

Kawano is in the midst of a $250,000 dollar  expansion and the Agriculture Minister says they will be eligible for a $50,000 dollar grant for processing plants which has been made retroactive to 2004. 

The Ministry also announced they will extend the current policy of no inspection fees until 2012.

There are about 10,000 head of cattle in this region between here and Vanderhoof. The Kawano Farms Slaughter house will be capable of processing about 30 to 40 head a day when it is in full operation. 

Bell says there are about 60,000 head slaughtered in BC every year,  as opposed to Alberta where that figure is 6,000 per day . 

"We clearly need to develop our BC slaughter houses" he said " we need much more capacity to meet our needs."

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