Federal Government Must Consider Mobile
Slaughterhouse Proposal
July 27, 2005
An Open Letter to Minister of Agriculture Andy Mitchell
Dear Minister,
There is relief among ruminant producers in my riding
of Prince George-Peace River that the United States border
is now open to some Canadian beef and other ruminants.
However, the losses endured due to that border closure
have taken a tragic toll on farmers, their families and
the entire agriculture industry.
The severe shortage of slaughter capacity created with
the U.S. ban on Canadian ruminants was compounded for
producers in my region when an Edmonton slaughterhouse
burned down last year. I have brought to your attention
previously, the initiatives by the Peace Country Tender
Beef Co-op and the Northern BC Buffalo Company to expand
slaughter capacity in our relatively northern, remote
region.
I would like to point to several convincing arguments
for why federal regulations that currently prevent the
Northern BC Buffalo Compnay from proceeding with plans
to operate a mobile slaughterhouse for buffalo, beef,
and lamb should be amended.
The regulations prohibit the use of ‘trailer-like’
structures for slaughter operations. Yet, the mobile abattoir
proposed by the Northern BC Buffalo Company is a very
sophisticated, technologically-advanced facility that
would comply – and surpass – the food safety
standards of any other federally-inspected slaughter operation
in Canada.
Aside from the added slaughter capacity created, mobile
abattoirs such as this one would reap the following benefits:
Value-added: We must re-develop a robust and competitive
slaughter capacity and meat packing industry here in Canada
and pursue new markets abroad, particularly in Europe
and Asia. Exporting to these markets requires that the
mobile abattoirs be federally-inspected.
Early detection: Mobile abattoirs process one animal
at a time, as opposed to an assembly line where hundreds
are processed. Detecting a potential “problem”
animal before it ever gets near the food chain is much
more likely.
Containment: If a “problem” animal is detected,
containment is easily accomplished by immediately sealing
off the mobile abattoir.
Traceability: The U.S. border closure demonstrated the
need to instantly trace the exact origins of an animal.
Origins are readily apparent if processed in a mobile
abattoir. Furthermore, niche markets could be developed
where discriminating diners would know exactly which ranch
or farm produced their meal.
Cost efficiency. Transportation costs would not be incurred
to get animals to the slaughterhouse.
Emissions: Reduced transport of animals means reduced
vehicle emissions.
Humane treatment: There is a growing preference among
Canadian consumers for the humane treatment of food animals.
Mobile abattoirs travel to the animals. Transport of animals
to a permanent slaughterhouse can create acute suffering.
Three-and-a-half million food animals arrived at federally-inspected
slaughterhouses dead or unsuitable for slaughter in 1999
often due to transport-inflicted conditions or injuries.
Competitiveness: Mobile abattoirs are already successfully
operating in Washington State and in Europe.
For all of these reasons and many more, which I know
the Northern BC Buffalo Company has outlined in their
proposal, I strongly urge you to move as expeditiously
as possible in amending federal regulations to permit
operation of federally-inspected mobile abattoirs in Canada.
Sincerely,
Jay Hill, MP
Prince George-Peace River
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