Alberta Pauses New Limits on On-Farm Slaughter Sales Amid Farmer Concerns

Alberta has paused new limits on annual on-farm slaughter sales, pleasing but anxiously awaiting updates from farmers. The limit of 2,250 kilograms per farm would have been a 70% cut for some farmers, who rely on the program for direct sales to consumers. The government cited public health concerns, but farmers are uncertain about the future. The Agriculture Ministry has heard concerns from producers and will continue to consult.

Alberta's Agriculture Ministry has paused the implementation of new limits on annual on-farm slaughter sales, a move that has pleased farmers but left them anxiously awaiting further updates. The new rules, which were set to limit sales to 2,250 kilograms per farm, would have significantly impacted some farmers, particularly those who rely on the program for direct sales to consumers.

The on-farm slaughter program, launched in 2020, allows licensed producers to sell cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals directly to consumers without adhering to commercial meat inspection rules. This program provides smaller farms with access to markets they otherwise wouldn't have, while also giving consumers the opportunity to buy meat in bulk directly from local producers.

The proposed limits, set to apply to new on-farm slaughter operations licensed after July 2, would have seen a reduction in the number of animals that could be sold annually. For example, the limit would have allowed for roughly four cows, 76 goats, or 150 chickens per farm. This would have resulted in a 70% cut in target slaughter sales for some farmers, such as Norwin Willis, who mainly sells chickens and some pigs and cows near Sexsmith in northern Alberta.

Brooke Vanderkley, a farmer near Sylvan Lake, south of Edmonton, expressed similar concerns. She sells about 600 chickens per year and a handful of cows, with plans to grow her beef operations. Vanderkley noted that the proposed limits would have required significant adjustments to her business model, which she had built in accordance with the current program.

The Agriculture Ministry has cited public health concerns as the primary reason for the proposed limits. Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson stated that the intention behind the limit was to reduce the amount of uninspected meat circulating in Alberta, thereby minimizing the risk of food-borne illnesses and maintaining Alberta's reputation as a safe source of high-quality meat. This concern was underscored by a substantial E. coli outbreak in Calgary in 2023, which was traced back to a commercial kitchen company supplying meat to daycares.

However, farmers have expressed uncertainty about the future of the program. While they appreciate the province's willingness to listen to their concerns, they remain cautious about the implications of the pause. Sue King, a farmer in Crooked Creek, northwest of Edmonton, believes that the proposed limit would have punished farmers who are already following the rules, and she suggested that the government should focus on addressing specific food safety issues rather than imposing broad limits.

Vanderkley echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the province could beef up inspections of on-farm slaughter operations or require licence holders to take a food safety course as a condition of their licence. Sigurdson acknowledged the need for further consultation and stated that the ministry is committed to getting the new rules right to ensure they support both public safety and the sustainability of Alberta's livestock industry.

The pause in the implementation of the new limits has provided some relief to farmers, but the uncertainty surrounding the future of the program remains. The Agriculture Ministry has not set a firm deadline for the completion of the new round of consultations, indicating that the process may take some time.

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-farmers-pleased-anxious-after-province-pauses-new-on-farm-slaughter-sale-limits-1.7582375
[2] https://globalnews.ca/news/11283736/alberta-farm-slaughter-sale-limits/