Alberta government proposing to increase penalties for illegal slaughter and sale of meat

The Alberta government is proposing legislative changes in an effort to stop the illegal sale and slaughter of meat.

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdsson says the province is seeing a “worrying trend” of rule breakers putting the meat sector’s reputation and economy at risk.

Investigations into illegal operations by provincial meat inspectors have nearly tripled year-on-year to 29 in 2023, and are expected to double again, resulting in four charges so far this year.

If the bill is passed, the maximum fine for breaking provincial meat inspection laws would increase from $10,000 to $100,000.

It would also double the time it takes for the province’s 65 meat inspectors and staff to investigate and lay charges, to two years.

Sigurdson urged Albertans to buy their meat from licensed operators and retailers and to ask questions about where the meat comes from and whether it was inspected.