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Abattoir licences

Last updated on August 20, 2024

Avian Influenza Guidelines for Slaughter Establishments

In light of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in British Columbia, the ministry has developed a guidance document that is intended for people who work closely with birds and bird by-products in meat processing facilities such as abattoirs and slaughter establishments.

Please refer to the Guidance for Meat Processors Handling Bird Mortalities (PDF 134 KB).

The ministry’s Meat Inspection Program issues abattoir licences under the Meat Inspection Regulation of the BC Food Safety Act.

NOTICE: On October 1, 2021, important changes to meat inspection and licensing in B.C. created new licence categories, and allowed more modernized inspection approaches. Review the public announcement. 

All pre-existing Class A and B slaughter establishment licences were transitioned to abattoir licences. Regional health authorities provide oversight of further processing and retail sales to the public. Learn more about applying for an abattoir licence  below.

Provincially licensed abattoirs are found throughout the province. These establishments are permitted to slaughter and are required to have a Meat Hygiene Inspector present to inspect animals before and after slaughter. Meat produced in licensed abattoirs can only be sold within the province.

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Application forms

 

How to apply

Note: All interested parties should confirm with local authorities that zoning allows for building and operating a slaughter establishment.

Applicants should contact the Meat Inspection Program for more information before proceeding with building an establishment, as well as completing the following steps:

  1. Review the Code of Practice for Licensed Abattoirs (PDF, 629 KB)

  2. Obtain written confirmation from the applicable local government that the property where the proposed abattoir will be sited is zoned for this activity.

    If the property is in the Agricultural Land Reserve and if 50% or more of the animals proposed to be slaughtered are raised/grown on the property where the abattoir is located, this farm use (abattoir) cannot be prohibited by local government on the basis of the farm use alone.

    If the property is in the Agricultural Land Reserve and if less than 50% of the animals proposed to be slaughtered are raised/grown on the property where the abattoir is located, approval from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) through a non-farm use application is necessary. Please contact the ALC for more information at ALCBurnaby@Victoria1.gov.bc.ca

  3. Register for a Premises ID
  4. Submit the application package to bcmeatinspection@gov.bc.ca containing:
    1. Application for Slaughter Establishment Licence, and
    2. Zoning approval
  5. A Meat Inspection Program staff member will contact applicants to review the application and any further steps required in the application process, such as a site visit
  6. Submit slaughter establishment building plans to BC Meat Inspection Program for approval.
 

Emergency slaughter

The B.C. Meat Inspection Program permits emergency slaughter of animals at a provincially licensed abattoir or on a farm when a meat hygiene inspector is not present. In either of these situations, emergency slaughter must occur under the supervision of a veterinary practitioner.

The Emergency Slaughter - Guidelines for Establishment Operators, Animal Producers and Agents - June 2024 (PDF, 233 KB) detail the requirements and obligations for conducting emergency slaughter under the authority of the B.C. Meat Inspection Program when a meat hygiene inspector is not present.

 

Resources

 

 

Compliance

Environmental health officers and meat inspectors are addressing illegal meat sales and lack of compliance through warnings and ticketing. Make sure you know the regulations that apply to your establishment.

Canadian cattle producers have a world class industry-led system to identify individual animals by recording the animal's actual birth or calving date. Producers are use this system to verify cattle ages to meet market requirements.

Contact information

Contact us if you have questions about slaughter establishments or meat inspection.

Email
bcmeatinspection@gov.bc.ca