Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Regulations Killing The Small Meat Abattoirs and Local Meat Processors. Does It Matter?

I saw the following article in the Markdale Standard and thought it would be of interest....

 

Regulations blamed for loss of abattoirs

Posted By Mary Golem

Holding up a thick binder of rules and regulations, the owner of a small local butcher shop said over-regulation and "confusion over how those regulations are being interpreted" are making his life difficult.

 

Kelven Arnold of Sullivan's Butcher Shop in Wiarton told a crowd at a meeting in Elmwood Wednesday night that some of the provincial meat industry inspection regulations are "physically impossible" for him and other small butcher shop and abattoir owners, "and extremely costly." Arnold says he's spent more than $75,000 in the last three years trying to comply.

 

"But there's no way you can question the rules, or not do what they want," he added.

 

"They'll just shut you down."

 

Stricter regulations are destroying small abattoirs across Ontario, threatening also the farmers who use them and reducing opportunities for people to buy local food, said Barb Klages, a member of the Malcolm Women's Institute, who spearheaded the organization of the information meeting.

 

Large and small plants are expected to meet the same compliance standards "and for many small operations, that's just simply impossible," says Louis Roesch, one of four key speakers at the meeting.

 

Fifteen years ago, Ontario had more than 900 businesses to process meat and poultry. Today, there are about 130.

 

Freeman Boyd, co-ordinator of the Buy Local Food project, said a year ago Grey-Bruce had nine provincially inspected plants and one federally inspected operation.

 

"We lost one last year, one closed this year and another is for sale. Two more might close and two are in immediate danger of closing . . . we may be down to five or less slaughter plants in the area in the not too distant future. That should be of immediate concern, not only to producers, but consumers as well."

 

Read the rest of the Markdale Standard article here.

 

http://www.markdalestandard.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2617944

 

Views: 118

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Had a simlar article on this forum a few months ago about a Cochrane processer, in North Ontario. Wear was the support for him from the above producessors. These regulations have one purpose take overs, unless a strong message is sent with the support of unions and all small producessors through out the provience they will take you down one by one. region by region.

Maybe we should have a new preimier's award for invonation. The award could be called can his government no piss off the farmers and prodcessors and no implement government invonation for the rest of his term. And maybe, just maybe a farmer could make some money to pay taxes.
I was shocked to see 900 operation down to 130 in five years???? But not surprised with I think about it.

We need to keep these local markets and local rural jobs....

My question is "Is there no money in processing or is it the regulatory barriers?"

If government policy is driving these processing operations out of business we need to figure out how to stop and reverse this trend.

Fewer marketing choices is not good for producers...
If Mr McCunty, sorry is it, McGuinty is to true form like our labour preimers in Australia, he will find the burden of his office has taken a heavy total on his family life, and must retire. Normal to a cushy quongo job, specially made for him by all those who he helped feather their nest. Leaving some fall guy to take the blame, normally a female. It totally amazes me how these flimflam people are elected, within their politial parties and why with the experience some of the older members who hold the reins don't, see the wolf under sheep's clothing. Thats why you need a Senate, to review these laws and policies. Their impact on the communities, businesses and not give the green light for this sort of result to happen, when any policial party gets into power.
Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says her department is looking for ways to help small abattoirs.
Mitchell says she's well aware of the struggles some of those operators are facing.

(Carol Mitchell On Abattoirs) Click to listen to an audio interview.
Many of those small abattoir owners are blaming new inspection standards for their problems.
A number of them have had to shut down because they can't make a living the way things are right now.
Would that mean something like "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you . . ."?

Joe Dales said:
Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says her department is looking for ways to help small abattoirs.
Mitchell says she's well aware of the struggles some of those operators are facing.

(Carol Mitchell On Abattoirs) Click to listen to an audio interview.
Many of those small abattoir owners are blaming new inspection standards for their problems.
A number of them have had to shut down because they can't make a living the way things are right now.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Keith Kreps Appointed President of 21st Century Equipment

Scottsbluff, Neb. — 21st Century Equipment is proud to announce the appointment of Keith Kreps as President, effective July 1, 2025. Kreps steps into the role following five years as chief operating officer and brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience in the agriculture equipment industry.

Crop Outlook Improves Across Alberta, But Peace Region Remains Parched

Timely rains in June have brought some much-needed relief to Alberta’s crop producers, particularly in the Central, parts of the Southern, and North West regions. While conditions have improved significantly in recent weeks, it’s a mixed bag across the province — and farmers in the Peace Region are still waiting for a true turnaround. As of June 30, provincial crop conditions are sitting at 61% good to excellent. That’s a full 11-point jump from mid-June, though still trailing the 5- and 10-year averages by 8 and 6 points, respectively. Spring cereals are ahead of schedule, with most regions reporting progress that surpasses typical benchmarks. In the South, cereals are already heading out, while Central and North West areas are mostly at the boot stage. Broadleaf crops like canola, dry peas, lentils, and mustard are flowering earlier than normal across the board — a positive sign, but one that hinges on moisture availability through the critical reproductive stages. Surface moisture

Five Manitoba students awarded with scholarships from MCGA

Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 high school scholarship program, awarding five $1,000 scholarships to graduating students in Manitoba.  This year’s recipients are heading into a variety of academic paths, from nursing to engineering, but all share a strong connection to rural life and caring for the land. Whether headed to large universities or faith-based institutions, each student expressed a passion for contributing to their communities and pride in their agricultural roots.  The 2025 MCGA scholarship recipients are: Addison Bruce, Miami, MB: Bachelor of Science  Sarah Krahn, Rivers, MB: Pre-Nursing, Bachelor of Science  Addison Schmidt, Elm Creek, MB: Briercrest College and Seminary Makenna Sumner, Neepawa, MB: Bachelor of Science Trent Tomoniko, Franklin, MB: Bachelor of Science in Engineering “The talent and dedication we saw in this year’s applications were truly inspiring,” says Warren Ellis, Chair of MCGA. “These st

Crop Report for the Period July 1 to July 7, 2025

Growing conditions throughout Saskatchewan continue to vary. Rainfall and warm temperatures in some areas are allowing crops to progress nicely, while other areas continue to experience dry conditions which is stressing crops and leading to rapid development. There was less rainfall last week than the week prior, with the Hanley area receiving the most in the province with 44 millmetres (mm). The Serath area received the second highest rainfall with 33 mm, followed closely by the Lampman and Semans areas with 32 mm and 28 mm, respectively. Other areas received much needed rainfall, but producers are hoping for more in the coming weeks. Limited rainfall in many areas has caused soil moisture levels to drop since last week. Currently, provincial cropland topsoil moisture is 55 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. For hayland, topsoil moisture is 43 per cent adequate, 38 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. Finally, moisture levels in pasture topsoil is

Advancing monitoring and decision-making tools for wireworm in Alberta

Why is this research important for Alberta ag? Wireworm is a serious pest for many growers, particularly in the Prairies, where there are 3-4 dominant species. The damaging larvae live for several years in the soil, feed on multiple crops, and have patchy distributions. For these reasons, wireworm is difficult to monitor, and no economic thresholds are currently available. As new chemical seed treatments enter the marketplace, there is an obvious need for a decision-making framework for wireworm management to help producers with questions like if and when to invest in chemical seed treatments. Since wireworm is the primary reason that cereal seeds are treated with insecticides on the Prairies, the information gathered from this research can potentially reduce unnecessary pesticide use. This research will explore the possibility of using overhead imagery to detect wireworm damage patches, how damaged patches differ from undamaged areas, and methods and intensity of sampling needed to

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service