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As of September 30, 2007 a new meat inspection regulations
(MIR) http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/reg/F/349_2004.htm
has come into effect making it illegal for farmers
in British Columbia to sell meat at the farm gate
as they have always done. This affects Rocky Mountain
Buffalo Company(RMBC) directly.
RMBC
has had a waiting list for customers wanting animals
from our own herd. For customers on that waiting
list, retail customers and for restaurants, we provide
federally inspected buffalo meat, raised without
hormones, antibiotics or additives. We can still
legally sell and distribute this federally inspected
meat.
With the new regulation (MIR) we cannot legally
field harvest our own animals and supply farm gates
sales as we have for years.
According
to the Government the MIR "is designed to enhance
food safety and the reputation of BC’s livestock
industry. It will also help ensure all animals are
treated humanely."
Even
if farmers wanted to comply, there are not enough
approved facilities to accommodate them all. In
addition, many farmers/operators like Rocky Mountain
Buffalo Co. pride themselves on having their animals
processed on the farm where they were born, avoiding
the stresses associated with transport and off farm
slaughtering.
Below find links to letters RMBC have written to
Ministry officials, the responses, an interesting
article by Jordan Marr and a link to a "MIR
Action Tool Kit" for those that would like
to take action and write to their Ministry representatives.
L.Downey
letter to Minister Pat Bell
Response
from Minister Pat Bell
Downey
Letter to Minister Pat Bell
Action
Tool Kit
Jordan
Marr Article
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