The government is proposing increasing fines from $10,000 to $100,000
The Alberta government is showing it takes illegal meat processing and sales seriously.
On Oct. 30, Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson announced the introduction of the Meat Inspection Amendment Act in the provincial legislature.
If passed, the law would increase fines from a maximum of $10,000 to $100,000 for each offense.
An increase in the illegal processing of animals and sales of uninspected meats prompted the government to take this measure.
Alberta employs 65 meat inspectors and program specialists who support licensing, inspections and surveillance.
Meat inspectors conducted 29 investigations in 2023. They’ve conducted 59 investigations this year resulting in four convictions.
In June, for example, RCMP announced charges against three people for unlawful animal processing and meat sales.
Unchecked processing facilities and meat products can be dangerous.
“This poses a serious risk to the health and safety of all Albertans, especially children, seniors, and vulnerable Albertans,” Minister Sigurdson said during a press conference.
Ag organizations and stakeholders are in support of the increased penalties.
“With maximum fines raising to $100,000, this will help ensure the safety of Alberta beef!” the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association said on X.
“We need accountability with severe ramifications for any abuse of the (Alberta On-Farm Slaughter program),” Jim Johnson, owner of Alberta Prairie Meats, said during the press conference with Minister Sigurdson, adding that Alberta’s meat industry has worked too hard for its good reputation to see it tarnished by bad actors.
In addition, the proposed legislation would provide inspectors with more time to lay charges.
The current law allows them one year while Sigurdson’s bill increases that time to two years.
Alberta licenses 121 processing facilities. And any meat or meat product sold or distributed in the province must come from an inspected facility.