In a move designed to increase meat supply in the Alberni-Clayoquot region, the province has changed meat-inspection regulations to allow more farms to slaughter and sell animals.
The changes announced this week allow farms with Class D slaughter licences to slaughter up to 25 animal units 鈥� one unit is 454 kilograms of meat 鈥� for sale to consumers or retail outlets such as restaurants and meat shops in the region.
鈥淲e have been working with ranchers, abattoir operators and regional governments since 2017 to increase the amount of locally raised meat British Columbians in rural communities can enjoy, and we are starting to see the results of our collective effort,鈥� said Agriculture Minister Lana Popham. 鈥淭his change will help livestock and poultry producers in the new designated areas expand their sales in stores and restaurants in their communities.鈥�
The hope is the new rules will improve the sustainability of the food supply and agriculture while encouraging the growing farm-to-fork trend.
鈥淭his is another step in the right direction for local farmers. It gives us added flexibility in providing high-quality, locally produced food,鈥� said Collin Van Horne of Port Alberni鈥檚 Nighthawk Ridge Farms.
