NELSON – New Democrat MLA Michelle Mungall says that more people will have access to locally-raised meat in the Kootenays thanks to changes made by the Province.

“Today’s announcement is good news for Kootenay farmers, producers, and everyone in our region who will be able to enjoy more local, sustainable food,” said Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston. “I’m proud of the work that our government has done in collaboration with local partners to make this important change.”

The updated Meat Inspection Regulation now allows Class D licences in Electoral Area D of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, as well as areas of the Alberni Valley and the Fraser-Fort George region, and encourages the growing “farm-to-fork” trend in many B.C. communities. Class D licence holders are permitted to conduct the on-farm slaughter of up to 25 animal units for direct sale to consumers or retail outlets like restaurants and meat shops in the region where the meat was slaughtered.

MLA Mungall says these changes follow consultations by the Ministry of Agriculture and the direction of the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food’s September 2018 report which recommended more support for B.C.’s local meat production and processing industries while promoting the interests of local producers, processors, retailers, and consumers.

The BC NDP government continues to consult with ranchers, abattoir operators, local governments and other stakeholders to review and improve the province’s rural slaughter capacity, and support more opportunities for the production and sales of locally raised meat products in B.C.

 Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/22377