Alberta’s provincial government is proposing new laws to crack down on the illegal sale and slaughter of meat.
Provincial government officials say illegal sales are on the rise and legislative changes are needed to maintain consumer safety and protect Alberta’s livestock and meat processing industries.
In a news conference Wednesday, Agriculture Minister R.J. Sigurdson said the province is seeing a concerning trend of those breaking the rules, putting the reputation of the sector at risk.
Investigations by Alberta government meat inspectors into illegal operations almost tripled in 2023 year-over-year to 29, and are expected to double again. In all, Alberta inspectors have laid four charges so far this year, Sigurdson said.
If passed, the Meat Inspection Amendment Act would increase fines from a maximum of $10,000 to $100,000 for each offence.
“This is necessary because It has become increasingly apparent that the current $10,000 fine is not substantial enough to deter illegal activity,” Sigurdson said.
The CBC’s Terry Reith updates how the Alberta government is now looking to toughen up the market of illegal meat processors and sellers amid a growing number of concerns and infractions.
The legislation would also give Alberta’s 65 meat inspectors and staff more time to investigate allegations of illegal slaughter or sale of uninspected meat.
Currently, Alberta’s legislation allows inspectors one year following the date of each offence to investigate and lay charges.
If the amendments pass, that timeline would double. Inspectors would have two years from when the offence comes to the attention of authorities to lay charges .
“This would give us more time to more thoroughly investigate complicated cases and prosecute those who break the law,” Sigurdson said.
CBC News has reported on a rash of recent infractions within the meat sales market in Alberta.
Experts say illegal operators may be taking advantage of the rising price of meat and a growing demand for halal products — which abide by Muslim religious customs for slaughter but are subject to the same food safety standards as non-Halal products.
In mid-April, health inspectors in Calgary ordered the closure of six grocers, a catering company and a wholesaler and distribution warehouse as a result of an ongoing investigation into the sale of uninspected meat.
Two men from central Alberta, near the town of Didsbury, Alta., were charged with illegal slaughter and selling, transporting and delivering uninspected meat. One of the men was fined after pleading guilty on April 29 to selling, transporting or delivering uninspected meat.
In March of last year, RCMP said they investigated the sale of meat coming from sick and injured cattle at a facility in Wheatland County in southern Alberta. Officers found 36 dead calves, more than 100 tags from slaughtered cows and discarded livestock carcasses.
In February 2023, Edmonton police and animal control officers entered a rented garage in the Kensington neighbourhood, and found several live goats. They found evidence that animals were being slaughtered on the premises.
Sigurdson said the legislative changes will strengthen enforcement without increasing prices for consumers or operational costs for Alberta 121 licensed abattoirs.
He urged Albertans to buy their meat from legitimate sources and ask retailers questions about where their meat products come from.
A CBC News investigation has uncovered a makeshift slaughterhouse in a residential Edmonton neighbourhood as concerns grow about illicit meat sales.
