The message could not be simpler or more direct: “Every federal meat inspection team in the province of Quebec is working shorthanded today, leaving most meat processing and slaughter establishments in the province operating with fewer meat inspectors than are required to ensure compliance with safety requirements.”
The conclusion comes from a detailed staffing survey released Monday, April 20 by the federal meat inspectors’ union, the Agriculture Union. The survey found staffing between 18 and 33 per cent below proper staffing.
“There is a critical shortage of meat inspectors in Quebec and in other parts of the country as well. This means that corners are being cut when it comes to safety. Further cuts to CFIA funding rumoured to be in tomorrow’s budget would come with high risk for consumer safety, ” said Bob Kingston, the union’s president in a statement released Monday.
The Canadian government is tabling a federal budget on Tuesday.
More information:
Agriculture Union press release – Survey finds Quebec-wide meat inspector shortage – here
Survey finds Quebec-wide meat inspector shortage – here
Global News (March, 2015) – Lack of CFIA meat inspectors is putting people at risk: Agriculture Union – here
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