JUNE 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC Oversight sought


Turning meat inspection over to agriculture ministry is a start


by TOM WALKER LILLOOET – Tristan Banwell


is vice-president of the new Small-Scale Meat Producers Association. He’s held a Class D licence since August 2015. Located 15 km south of Lillooet on the back side of the Fraser River, Spray Creek Ranch fits the definition of remote, one of the reasons for the provincial D & E class licenses. Banwell trucks his 50 beef cattle to be slaughtered, cut and wrapped in a Class A- licensed plant in Kamloops, two-and-a-half hours away. Spray Creek also grows and


processes 25,000 lbs of chickens and turkeys annually, the maximum allowed under its D license. They sell direct to customers and several local eateries and are regulars at the Lillooet, Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish farmers’ markets. Their product is labeled “Slaughtered in a licensed, uninspected facility. Not for sale outside the Squamish- Lillooet Regional District.” Banwell is clear about the customer he serves. “There is a tremendous demand for short-supply- chain, direct-to-consumer, transparent, organic, high- welfare meat. People want that,” he says. “We see a lot of customers whose trust in the industrial meat production


has eroded.” “We need to strengthen


the system in BC to allow producers to connect with their customers,” says Banwell. “I don’t come close to meeting the demand for my product.” For Branwell, strengthening


the system means first coming under the BC Ministry of Agriculture.


“I think that all the


abattoirs and the meat cut- and-wraps should be under the Ministry of Agriculture,” he says. “They have the expertise and the staff to deal with the special requirements of meat cutting that are different from inspecting restaurants or a septic system that local health authorities are used to.” “A responsible level of


regulatory oversight is good for the producer, it’s good for the abattoir and its good for the consumer,” Banwell says. More oversight means


more opportunities to learn, Banwell says.


“I think that when we do


have an inspector at our facility, it is a useful relationship,” he says. “You learn a lot from talking to someone whose profession is ensuring food safety.” Access to training


opportunities is something he also looks for. “Beyond the SlaughterSafe right now, we don’t have


1-866-398-2848 ext 2 | VBP@cattlemen.bc.ca www.verifiedbeefproductionplus.com


Canada’s Verified Beef Production Plus Program


Simple. Practical. Trusted. DEVELOPED FOR PRODUCERS, BY PRODUCERS.


Let us help you show the good things you already do for on-farm food safety, biosecurity, environmental stewardship and animal care.


Provincial Livestock Fencing Program


A New Highway Fencing Program Has Been Announced


Funding Guidelines will be available soon. View updates at


www.cattlemen.bc.ca/fencing email fencebc@gmail.com or call 1.866.398.2848


In partnership with:


Tractors Vehicles Trailers Equipment Implements Tools Antiques and more...


Wade McNolty 250.398.0429


23


Tristan Banwell welcomes increased oversight for small-scale meat producers. SUBMITTED PHOTO


access to the same training programs that the A&Bs can take,” Banwell points out. “To me, the fact that a D licensee doesn’t ever have to slaughter an animal in front of an inspector could use some improvement,” says Banwell. “I think we should have to do a


demonstration test kill, even if we are not going to be inspected on a regular slaughter day.” “We do a lot of traceability


reporting because we are certified organic,” Banwell explains. “All of our meat needs to be identifiable back


to the date of birth and the point of origin. We know our customers by name, and we have their emails and phone numbers.” “Put yourself in my shoes,”


Banwell asks. “Quality and safety are the two keys to keeping me in business.”


Proudly Supporting BC Ranching Since 1943 - Celebrating 75 Years Rh quanch Eqp n Ranc anch EquipmenchEq pment quipmenipment uct on JUNE 16th JAMIESON CREEK RANCH & FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION


10:30AM - 7681 Westsyde Road, Kamloops BC LARRY 250.319.0872 | WAYNE 250.319.0873 or email kam@bclivestock.bc.ca


JUNE 22nd KAMLOOPS CONSIGNMENT FARM & RANCH EQUIPMENT AUCTION 10:30AM - Kamloops Stockyards LARRY 250.319.0872 | WAYNE 250.319.0873 or email kam@bclivestock.bc.ca


quitAuct onsctions tionsi


Visit w WILLIAMS LAKE


www.bclivestock.bc.ca For complete auction listings and photos.


Looking ahead to the FALL RUN Book Now! KAMLOOPS


OK FALLS


Shawn Carter 250.490.5809


VANDERHOOF


DeCody Corbiere 250.524.0681


PROVINCE WIDE


Al Smith 250.570.2143


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48