Local grocery stores in the Cariboo no longer need to import their poultry from out of province thanks to a new Quesnel-based mobile poultry processing facility that was established under this project.
In the fall of 2008, new BC meat inspection regulations came into effect requiring all poultry to be processed in a licensed abattoir. This has resulted in many unlicensed operations shutting down, placing many local farmers in a very difficult position as the nearest licensed processing facility is located in the Vancouver area. This had a negative effect on the local economy as Cariboo grocery stores no longer had access to a supply of locally produced poultry products.
With the mobile processing facility up and running, local farmers now have a licensed facility in which they can process their poultry safely. This mobile processing facility will now travel to communities throughout the Cariboo and central interior region to meet the needs of agricultural producers who can now service the demand for their products throughout the region.
"The Mobile Poultry Unit will enable small poultry producers to safely and efficiently slaughter and process chicken, turkey, duck and rabbit."
Cariboo Central Interior Poultry Producers Association
The mobile poultry processing facility is promoting the sale of locally grown poultry. After the introduction of new BC Meat Inspection regulations, purchasing local poultry was expensive and inefficient as farmers had to transport their poultry to the Vancouver area for processing, and then back again to the Cariboo to sell to local butchers and restaurants.
Now the mobile processing facility travels from community to community, docking and acting as a temporary facility for farmers to have their poultry processed. This provides significant savings for farmers, which can be ultimately passed along to retailers and consumers. In addition to the cost savings, the mobile processing facility has produced two full-time positions.
How has this project made a positive difference for you, your family, or organization?
