Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

October 5th, 2007

Opposition Rural Caucus fights to protect local meat producers

The Meat Industry Regulation (MIR) enforced September 30 by the Campbell government could turn local farmers who sell turkeys for Thanksgiving into outlaws, warn the members of the Opposition Rural Caucus.

“Under the MIR many farmers are prohibited from selling chickens, cattle, hogs and turkeys to their local community this Thanksgiving,” said Agriculture Critic and Nelson – Creston MLA Corky Evans.

The new regulation which governs the slaughter of animals for food sales in B.C. has created chaos in the rural meat industry. 

Macdonald and the 13 other members of the Opposition Rural Caucus met October 3 to discuss more ways to assist rural meat producers slated to be left behind since the MIR came into effect across B.C.

“This Thanksgiving, it will be illegal for many families to buy turkeys from the neighbourhood farm they’ve been going to for years,” said the Chair of the Rural Caucus MLA Norm Macdonald.  “Local food producers are telling me that this regulation will kill local food production. This is just another example of Campbell’s anti-rural agenda.”

Although the Campbell government has been marketing the MIR as a food safety initiative for British Columbians, the Agricultural Critic is claiming the Regulation’s primary purpose is to appease Japanese and Americans in food trade discussions.

“I am calling on the government to amend the MIR to allow local meat producers to use a stamp which identifies their product not for resale or export,” said Evans. “This would allow farmers to continue working and selling meat to their community neighbours while still complying with the needs of our trade partners who expect regulated and inspected product.”

The Agriculture Critic and Opposition Rural Caucus have been working hard with producers in their areas who are trying to find ways to comply with regulation upgrades.

“The Campbell government needs to hear from local producers and consumers just how detrimental this regulatory change will be,” urged Macdonald.  “It is through personal stories that we apply pressure on the government.  Let the Minister of Agriculture know how this will affect you.”

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MEDIA CONTACT: Joy Orr 1 (866) 870 – 4188, joy.orr@leg.bc.ca