10 SLAUGHTER rules
Northern Rockies, Powell River, Skeena-Queen Charlotte, Squamish-Lillooet, Stikine, Strathcona (mainland and Discovery Islands portion only) and Sunshine Coast. Class E licence holders may slaughter up to 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) of their own animals for direct sale to consumers only in the area the meat was produced. There are currently 19
D-class licence holders and 27 E-class licence holders in BC.
The ministry promised to also gather input from key stakeholders, including the BC Association of Abattoirs, the BC Cattlemen’s Association, and regional health authorities. “It’s positive they want to consult but I wrote to the department because I wanted their consultation to be broadened to include those of us in the production side who are concerned,” says Smith. “If you’re growing animals, you need some place to have them processed and
right now, capacity at local abattoirs and butcher shops doesn’t exist, which means you should have an opportunity to provide input.” Throughout April, the new association will be consulting with its members specifically to provide the ministry with broader industry feedback for consideration. Jim Ross of Havesome Hogs in Slocan Park is the regional representative for the Central Kootenays. Ross began raising sheep and hogs 12 years ago. Ross, who also works as an IT consultant, has an E-class licence that allows him to slaughter on the farm but today he sends most of the carcasses to expert butchers for cutting prior to direct sale to customers.
He has easy access to butchers who cut, process and wrap his meat but like many farmers with E licences, the 10,000-pound limit doesn’t allow him to make a living growing food. If
hours is against my values and how my animals deserve to be treated,” he said. Ross is no stranger to fighting the ministry, which previously refused to renew his licence on the grounds he could use a newly established portable abattoir just down the road. After he supplied a letter from that operator saying that he won’t be able to deal with Ross’s animals, the ministry renewed his licence.
JULIA SMITH
he wants to sell to a retailer or restaurant and follow current regulations, he must haul his live animals more than two hours away, investing in equipment and time he doesn’t have for no additional profit. “I don’t discount the work
done by abattoirs, but feel hauling animals for over two
But there’s a catch: he can’t hold his E licence and use the abattoir down the road under current regulations. This is why he supports the new association. “I’ve swam against the
current for eight years. It’s a lot of work and you don’t accomplish anything. It’s easy to ignore Jim Ross and his concerns, but it’s harder to ignore an association with many members,” Ross says. In addition to a stronger
lobby, he says joining forces with other small-scale meat producers enables the
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MAY 2018 nfrom page 9
sharing of information and ideas across the province. It also stands to ensure
everyone, both large and small-scale producers, are playing by the same rules. “For every legal licence, I estimate there are at least 10 selling meat on the black market and their customers don’t report them because they want the meat,” says Ross. “One of the challenges is how the government will bring these folks into the tent so all producers and consumers are protected in the event something goes wrong. I support all farmers but would rather we played by the same rules.” BC agriculture minister
Lana Popham says BC's meat inspection system is being addressed as part of the "Feed BC" element of her mandate.
Small-scale meat
producers who would like to be involved can join the association at [
www.smallscalemeat.ca] or [
smallscalemeat@gmail.com].
On board Se with high quality pre-owned equipment $49,500 $69,900 $124,500 S e ou entire
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The newly established Small-Scale Meat Producers Association has assembled a board that represents a cross- section of small BC meat producers. The executive includes: President: Julia Smith,
Blue Sky Ranch Vice-president: Tristan
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$24,500
Banwell, Spray Creek Farms Treasurer: Steve
Meggait, Fresh Valley Farms Secretary:Michelle
Schaffer, Whiskey Creek Ranch Director: Corine
Singfield, Tsawwassen Farm School/Kwantlen Polytechnic University The board also has
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......CRESTON, BC
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$13,900
seven regional representatives: Okanagan
Similkameen: Corey Brown, Blackbird Organics
Thompson Nicola:
Helen Cabot, Cabot Homestead Natural Meats
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...............CRESTON, BC
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y ur loc CALL OL FREE 1-888 8 OR ONOK PONOKA • STE TLE DR MHELLER cal John De r d CALLTOLL FREE:1 8 8-831-81898189
ORCONTACT OU NEARES CERV S OCA O ORO ATION•OLDSOL S •TRO
DRUM ELL R •HAN A A NA
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R CHU• CALGARLGA Y BROOKS
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oh Deere dealer in th hear of le CALL OR ONTAC
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the hea t o the ootenays e Koo CERVUS JOHN DEERE CRESTON – 1617 Northwest Blvd • (250) 431-9002 BROOK • BASSA O•HIG
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NEAREST CERVUS GHRIV R •VULCA
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Cariboo: Robin Hunt, Big Rock Ranch Columbia Shuswap:
Karen Persson, G & K Persson Farms Fraser Valley: Jill
Robbins, K & M Farms Centra Kootenay: Jim
Ross, Havesome Hogs Peace River (interim):
Michelle Schaffer, Whiskey Creek Ranch — Myrna Stark Leader
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