By Oli Herrera

MEAT SURVEY

Small meat producers are being asked to complete survey

Aug 12, 2021 | 6:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—An association is looking to represent thousands of small-scale meat producers in the province. The Small Scale Meat Producers Association is launching a survey aimed at hearing concerns and suggestions from producers in the meat industry.

For small-scale farmers like Matthew L’Heureux, owner of Aurora View Farms, he butchers on average 120 animals every year. Which is around 30,000lbs of meat.

Though he has a steady operation, he says he knows there are some problems that farmers in the province face.

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“We definitely need more slaugther capacity in B.C. for small operators. There’s lots for bigger operators but it’s when you’re small there’s not very much.” said L’Heureux.

The SSMPA has launched a survey now to hear from farmers like him so that they can gather information and data to present to the province.

“Since 2017, we’ve had just hundreds of conversations with producers across the province, so we do have a lot of information that we’ve gathered, but we don’t have hard data and that’s what we get asked for,” said Ava Reeve, Executive Director, SSMPA.

The survey will ask questions about their operation size, barriers they face, and what changes or opportunities they’d like to see implemented.

L’Heureux says he maintains a steady operation, however he knows that other farmers have issues—especially rural ones. He says that many of those farmers have to drive hours to have the meat butchered and prepared for sale.

“If you want to sell it at a farmer’s market or at a store, or online, you have to have it butchered in a facility. You can sell it off your farm, but you can butcher it at home as long as its inspected,” said L’Heureux.

Another issue is the lack of labor in slaughterhouses, which is what the SSMPA is also looking at tackling.

“That includes questions about slaughter access, we know that has been a key issue. The provincial government has recently issued new changes that will hopefully address these issues, but we do want to hear whether they’re anticipating these changes will help,” said Reeve

L’Heureux says he’s happy with the work the MInistry has done for farmers like him, but there’s more opportunities for change.

To take part in the survey, you can visit the Small Scale Meat Producers Association website.