Ontario farmer fined

Mar 31, 2015

Found to be in violation of food safety laws

OMAFRA released a bulletin stating that a farmer from Dunrobin, Ontario, near Ottawa, was found guilty of violating provincial food safety laws and must pay a fine of $1,250.

Anthony Scissons was found guilty of violating the following, which fall under the Food Safety and Quality Act 2001 and Ontario Regulation 31/05:

Carrying on a licensed activity without a license
Failure to ensure ante mortem (before slaughter) inspection of food animal and approval for slaughter
Failure to ensure post mortem inspection of a food animal carcass
Unlawful selling of a carcass of a food animal

The maximum sentence is a $25,000 fine and two years in jail.

The offences took place on October 26, 2012 when Mr. Scissons allowed members of the Muslim community to slaughter sheep on his property during a cultural celebration and on August 21, 2014, Mr. Scissons was found guilty.

Mr. Scissons challenged the decision under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Justice of the Peace Brian Mackey said he would find Mr. Scissons guilty of the specific offences, pending the resolution of the Charter challenge.

“On February 10, 2015, Justice Mackey ruled that the activities related to on-farm slaughter of sheep on behalf of members of the Muslim community during a celebration known as Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) did not constitute an infringement of Mr. Scissons' rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” read the court bulletin from OMAFRA.

Abbatoirs in Ontario must have a license and are subject to inspection to minimize food risks.

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