Dear Mr. Behan:
I am writing you to provide clarification on an article regarding on-farm slaughter provisions published in the May 21, 2008 edition of your newspaper.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a public session in Stratton on the evening of May 15, where information was provided to approximately 60 people regarding the new provisions for on-farm slaughter and the new certified examiner role.
I would like to provide clarification on some key points so your readers have the correct information about this new opportunity.
Ontario’s meat regulation has been changed to provide options for cattle and swine producers who want to slaughter animals (cattle under 30 months of age or swine of any age) on their farm, and have these carcasses processed off the farm at a provincially-licensed meat plant.
Meat processed under this provision is for the consumption of the producer and his/her immediate family, on the premise where the animal was slaughtered.
It should be noted these products cannot be sold, shared, or donated.
A detailed process is in place for those who want to take advantage of these new provisions, which includes:
•The on-farm slaughter must be conducted, or overseen by, a certified examiner. This is a newly-created role for independent individuals who will receive training from OMAFRA.
The certified examiner will examine the animal before slaughter, and the carcass after slaughter, to help the producer ensure their animals are disease-free, and slaughtered humanely and dressed in a hygienic manner.
•If the certified examiner has concerns regarding the animal to be slaughtered or the carcass, he/she contacts an OMAFRA regional veterinarian, who will provide direction.
Direction may include having a local, appointed veterinary inspector examine the animal or carcass. OMAFRA has four regional veterinarians in the province. They are accessible by pager seven days a week.
OMAFRA currently has veterinary inspectors based in Dryden and New Liskeard, and other areas of the province where licensed abattoirs exist. Efforts are underway to contract a licensed veterinarian in the Rainy River District.
•Age certification from breed associations or the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA), or number of teeth, all are acceptable methods of determining the age of cattle.
Cattle birth certificates always supersede dentition until the eruption of the fifth permanent incisor.
•Provincially-licensed meat plants (abattoirs or freestanding processors) that wish to offer processing services to producers using the services of a certified examiner for on-farm slaughter must receive the approval of an OMAFRA regional veterinarian to receive carcasses within a prescribed number of weeks.
In addition, a written protocol for receiving and processing these animals must be developed and approved by an OMAFRA regional veterinarian.
A regional veterinarian is not required to give permission for individual carcasses to enter a meat plant.
Our staff appreciated having the opportunity to visit your community to provide information about these new provisions.
For more information, producers can contact the OMAFRA Northern Regional Office at 1-800-461-6132 or e-mail ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas F. Baker
Director, Animal Wealth
and Welfare Branch
OMAFRA
