Should Alberta Limit How Many Animals On-Farm Slaughter Operations Can Process?

Official title: On farm slaughter operation uninspected slaughter limit engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Health & Safety
Alberta asked whether to tighten rules for on-farm slaughter operations. These licences let farmers slaughter animals for customers who buy them live—but the meat can't be sold in stores. The government says some operations are slaughtering far more animals than intended, and complaints about illegal meat sales and improper waste disposal are rising.

Why This Matters

Buy meat directly from a local farm? This affects you. The government wants to crack down on operations that may be skirting food safety rules. For small farmers, stricter limits could mean less income. For consumers, it's about knowing your food is safe.

What Could Change

New caps could limit how many animals each on-farm operation can slaughter annually. Stricter waste disposal rules may be introduced. Operations exceeding limits might need to upgrade to inspected abattoir standards—or shut down.

Key Issues

  • Should there be limits on how many animals an on-farm operation can slaughter?
  • How can food safety risks from uninspected meat be reduced?
  • How would stricter requirements affect the sustainability of small-scale operations?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation has closed. An online survey was available between August 25 and September 22, 2025. Results are under review.

What Happened

Input from OFSO licence holders and stakeholders is being reviewed. The feedback will be considered as part of policy and decision-making on managing OFSOs to maintain public confidence in food safety while supporting producers.