Temporary changes to livestock slaughter, interprovincial movement rules proposed by CFIA

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said removing barriers to internal trade is essential to building a stronger, more competitive food system.

“These proposed amendments create a practical, time-limited pathway for producers and provincially licensed slaughter establishments to move red meat between provinces when local slaughter capacity is limited,” MacDonald said. “This will help small producers and establishments test new markets, reduce transportation costs, and support food security in rural and remote communities, all while maintaining the high food safety standards Canadians expect.”

The proposed exemption would be a one-time, four-year measure that applies only where provinces and territories agree to provide oversight for low-volume trade of raw, single-ingredient red meat products.

It would allow small livestock producers and small provincially licensed slaughter establishments to test another provincial market while seeking a federal licence. CFIA said it could improve access to nearby slaughter capacity and allow meat to be traded interprovincially in a specific province.

For provincial slaughter establishments, the exemption would help them address unmet slaughter capacity and decide whether a Safe Food for Canadians licence makes sense for their business before the exemption ends.

The proposal also includes regulatory measures to reduce red tape by removing unintended work shift requirements for certain continuous activities.

Comments and feedback will accepted until Aug. 26.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

by Pattison Media

Temporary changes to livestock slaughter, interprovincial movement rules proposed by CFIA

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