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Overview, Findings and Recommendations (PDF 1.3M)
Backgrounder on the Structure and Content of the Review (PDF 1.1M)
Backgrounder on the B.C. Meat Inspection System (PDF 1.2M)
Appendices (PDF 1.3M)
In the spring of 2010, the B.C. Government requested a review of the meat inspection system in provincially licensed Class A and B abattoirs. Class A and B abattoirs form part of British Columbia’s graduated approach to licensing of meat facilities. They can sell meat products anywhere within provincial boundaries.
At present, the Class A and B plants are inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), under contract with the BC Centre for Disease Control. The CFIA has notified the B.C. Government that it will no longer provide meat inspection services after December 31, 2013. Therefore, B.C. is developing a provincially operated meat inspection system to replace the role of the CFIA by this date.
The Ministry of Health established a steering committee in 2010 to develop a report with options for a new provincial meat inspection system. This process, entitled the B.C. Abattoir Inspection Review, was a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Food Processors Association. Maintaining or improving food safety, industry support, livestock health and welfare, and cost efficiency were key objectives for a new provincial meat inspection system.
The Report on the B.C. Abattoir Inspection Review describes the goals, objectives and scope of the review. It also explains the four-phase consultation process, and consultations with an expert advisory panel and a reference group of abattoir operators. The report presents nine recommendations, and two meat inspection system options identified as a possible best fit for the province. In addition, it provides an assessment of both system options, and advice to the government about implementing either option as the basis of a new meat inspection system in British Columbia.
The B.C. Ministries of Agriculture and Health welcome input from the provincial livestock, meat processing and retail industries, as well as other interested parties, on implementing the recommendations provided by the Report on the B.C. Abattoir Inspection System Review.
Consultation sessions for members of the provincial meat industry are being held across the province, by invitation, during March and April 2012.
If you would like to share suggestions or ideas to help the B.C. Government design the new provincial meat inspection system — with the objective of a high standard of meat safety, cost efficiency and public confidence — please email your information to Meat.Inspection@gov.bc.ca by April 30th 2012.
The receipt of all submissions will be acknowledged by email and all information shared will be considered as part of the development of the new provincial meat inspection system.
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