Upcoming changes to the country’s meat inspection practices have observers worried about the safety of meat that would be purchased in B.C.
Following the E.Coli outbreak that stemmed from Alberta-based XL Foods Plant in September, the Consumers’ Association of Canada is concerned about Ottawa’s decision to transfer meat inspection responsibilities to the provinces. The new regulations are expected to be in place in January of 2014.
“One of the problems is immediately they let it go to the provinces, there will be 11 different sets of rules instead of having one,” said Bruce Cran with the Consumers’ Association of Canada. “At the moment, I don’t think the federal government has demonstrated they can provide safe food for us.”
The B.C. government is considering issuing more licenses that would allow small-scale abattoirs to slaughter animals without third-party oversight. Those licenses currently exist in several remote B.C. communities.
Dave Fernie, with the BC Association of Abattoirs, opposes the proposal, saying it would compromise consumer confidence at a time when meat producers want to increase B.C. meat and poultry products.
“The main concern to us is wholesomeness,” said Fernie. “On the floor when an inspector is working, and when he comes across, say, a parasitic liver, that’s automatically condemned and that’s what his job is: to provide a safe, wholesome product and that’s a difficult job and a challenge, and that’s why we need a third party inspection system.”
B.C. Agricultural Minister Norm Letnick, however, says consultations are still underway to determine how B.C. will oversee abattoirs when inspection regulations change. He maintains that food safety is a priority, and that he has not made any binding conclusions yet.
“We have several goals we're trying to achieve, but we won't achieve it by compromising on food safety,” he said. “So the public can rest assured that whatever system we come up with that is top of mind."
Letnick will be making recommendations to caucus in January.
With files from CTV British Columbia’s Penny Daflos
