Amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulation will cut red tape and provide Albertans with greater access to locally produced meat while maintaining food safety. 

These changes give operators more flexibility to meet legislated requirements and increase consumer access to high-quality local products. 

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, says, “Alberta produces the world’s best beef, pork and poultry products, and Albertans want better access to these products. These common-sense changes will also provide new economic opportunities for Alberta ranchers and provincial abattoirs. Albertans value knowing where their food comes from and are proud to support local farm families.” 

These amendments modernize Alberta’s Meat Inspection Regulations and align us with our partners in other provinces. 

The changes come as a result of consultation with industry and other stakeholders and include: 

  • Increased licensing options for personal use slaughter. Consumers can now buy an animal direct from the farm and have the animal slaughtered on-site for their personal consumption. 
  • Allowing provincially licensed meat facilities to salvage and sell meat by-products. As a result, abattoirs will be able to expand into markets that use meat by-products for human consumption, pet food and wildlife bait. 
  • Allowing for video pre-slaughter inspections in emergency situations. Abattoirs won’t have to wait for an appointed inspector to arrive in person on-farm to perform an inspection if animal welfare is at stake.