Fines Totalling $17,000 Collected Under Food Safety, Dead Animal Disposal and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Legislation

PEMBROKE - A Renfrew resident and a Foresters Falls resident have been convicted and fined for various violations under provincial legislation. The charges arose from an investigation by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

On April 27, 2009, Robert S. Crozier of Renfrew pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke to 21 counts under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001, two counts under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and one count under the Dead Animal Disposal Act, for a total of 24 counts.

The Court heard that, on various occasions in May and August 2007, and March and April 2008, Crozier slaughtered food animals without a licence, failed to present carcasses for inspection before and after slaughter, transported and sold food animal carcasses, contrary to the Food Safety and Quality Act and the Meat Regulation (O. Reg. 31/05) under the act. In addition, between March 28 and April 16, 2008, Crozier failed to dispose of a dead animal within 48 hours as required under the Dead Animal Disposal Act, and, in April 2008, unlawfully sold and offered for sale game wildlife, contrary to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Justice of the Peace Clayton McKechnie sentenced Crozier to a total fine of $15,000 plus victim fine surcharge for 15 counts and gave him one year to pay. Crozier received a suspended sentence for the nine remaining counts.

On April 27, 2009 as well, Clare F. Martin of Foresters Falls pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke to one count under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001. The Court heard that, between March 31 and April 14, 2008, Martin slaughtered food animals without a licence, contrary to the act.

A $2,000 fine, plus victim fine surcharge, was imposed on Martin by Justice of the Peace McKechnie. He has six months to pay the fine amount.

 Quick facts

• The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' (OMAFRA) meat inspection program is part of Ontario's food safety system, which maximizes the safety of Ontario food products by combining a thorough inspection system with educational programs, laboratory support and a comprehensive legislative framework.  
• The Meat Regulation (O. Reg. 31/05) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001, provides for the inspection of animals and carcasses in slaughter plants, and regulates conditions and methods of operation.
• The Dead Animal Disposal Act regulated the disposal of carcasses of animals that died from causes other than slaughter, and licensing of persons engaged in this service. The Act was repealed in March 2009, at which time it was replaced by new regulations under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 and the Nutrient Management Act, 2002.
• This legislation is administered by OMAFRA with investigative and prosecution services provided by MNR.
• The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is administered by MNR and deals with the lawful hunting, trapping and fishing of fish and wildlife in the province of Ontario.
  

Help us enforce the law

Anyone with information regarding violations of provincial food and inspection legislation is asked to contact John Benedetti, OMAFRA Regulatory Compliance Unit, at (519) 826-6573 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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For more information, contact:

Gwen McBride, OMAFRA, 519-826-3112
Kyle Cachagee, MNR, 705-755-5433