New Alberta law would increase fines for slaughter, sale of uninspected meat

Article By Lauryn Heintz Published October 30, 2024
Article Source: Alberta to table bill targeting food safety, illegal meat sales

Proposed amendments to the Meat Inspection Act tabled in the Alberta Legislature Monday would not only see a substantial increase in fines for perpetrators, but also extend the time allowed to investigate and lay charges for the illegal slaughter and sale of uninspected meat from one year to two years.

“We don’t want uninspected meat in our food supply chain. We want to make sure Albertans have the confidence in their food supply chain,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture.

“When we talk about the food affordability crisis, that’s why our government has been pushing federal government to get rid of the carbon tax. Our processors have seen massive costs passed down to them.”

Increased fines are aimed at strongly deterring illegal slaughter and meat sales to make sure all meat sold in the province is safe to sell and eat. Current fines have shown not to be a successful deterrent, according to the Alberta government. However, a judge would still be the one deciding the appropriate fine for a person convicted under the Act.

Extending the permitted investigation period will allow time for thorough investigations of complex cases, according to the government.

“The Alberta meat industry has worked too damn hard earning a solid reputation to have it jeopardized by a few individuals who seek profit by any means,” said Jim Johnson, with Alberta Prairie Meats.

The province says the proposed changes wouldn’t increase operating costs for the industry or the cost of inspected meat for consumers. It would, however, bring Alberta in line with other jurisdictions.

Any meat or meat product sold or distributed in Alberta must come from an inspected slaughter facility, known as an abattoir, or a processing facility. Alberta meat inspectors are on site in these licensed facilities to make sure the meat that is produced is safe for consumption.

There are 121 licensed abattoirs in the province that make inspected meat under the supervision of inspectors.

Alberta has 65 meat inspectors and program specialists who support licensing, inspections, and surveillance.

Cases of illegal sale and slaughter increasing

The slaughter and sale of uninspected meat was thrust into the spotlight last fall, when 446 cases of E. coli were traced to a central kitchen thought to be distributing tainted meat loaf and vegan loaf to several daycares in Calgary. The owners of the commercial kitchen are facing 12 municipal charges and a fine of up to $120,000.

“We don’t want meat from diseased animals entering the food supply. We have to ensure these animals are healthy. That is why we have inspection,” said Dr. Lynn McMullen, a professor at the University of Alberta.

They have pleaded not guilty and are set to head to trial in the spring.

Since then, several other instances of sickness and illegal sale and slaughter have made the news.

Just last week, two Calgary grocers were reprimanded by Alberta Health Services for having uninspected meat in their freezers and selling uninspected eggs for retail.

In April, an RCMP investigation led to the closure of eight Calgary businesses, all found to be selling uninspected meat. Four Calgary residents were later arrested and charged for their alleged role in the sale and slaughter of the meat.

-With files from Sean Amato