Emergency Slaughter in Place-Update

Emergency slaughter (ES) was introduced by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in August 2006. Implementation followed in the fall of 2006. There are three categories for ES of healthy animals: injured, unable to transport and escapees.

Veterinarians must be appointed under the Food Safety and Quality Act and have received training for ES. Contact Dr. Gabriel Ferdinand, Dr. Robert Hayes or Dr. Steve Palmer (Pager number 1-800-263-1420) with inquiries for appointment under the Food Safety and Quality Act or for Emergency-Slaughter training. Only an appointed Vet may conduct ES on injured animals.

As well as appointed veterinarians trained inspectors can conduct ES on the other two categories (unable to transport and escaped animals).

On July 12, 2007 new regulations under the Health of Animals Act and Regulations, administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) were implemented that require slaughter plants to now obtain a CFIA permit to receive ES (SRM). In addition, producers must also obtain a CFIA permit to transport an ES carcass.

Meat from animals slaughtered under the ES provisions is fully inspected and eligible for sale. In addition, on-farm slaughter for personal consumption is still permitted on the farm at which the animal was slaughtered and processed. On-farm slaughter meat may not be sold.

| Top of Page |