For Release: May 2, 2005

Ontario Government Acts Quickly To Safeguard Public Health

Provisionally Suspends Licence At Mount Elgin Abattoir

TORONTO - The Ontario government has suspended the licence of Denview Meat Packers for alleged illegal slaughter activities, after the Ministry of Agriculture and Food acted on a tip early this morning.

While the ministry's investigation continues, consumers should use caution consuming meat products that may have come from this Tillsonburg-area abattoir.

"Ontario's Meat Inspection Act requires that all animals must be inspected before slaughter at a provincially licensed abattoir, to ensure that only healthy animals enter the human food chain," said Dr. Deb Stark, Chief Veterinarian of Ontario. "The Ontario government does not, and will not, tolerate the illegal slaughter and sale of meat."

All meat products at the plant have been detained because at this point in the investigation the wholesomeness of meat products from this plant cannot be guaranteed; consumers should check with their meat retailers if they have concerns. The ministries of Agriculture and Food, Natural Resources and Health and Long-Term Care continue to work with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Oxford Public Health Unit to determine if further food safety action is required.

"Anyone who has purchased meat from Denview Meat Packers should not eat these products while this investigation is ongoing," said Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

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Contact:
Dave McLeod
(519) 826-3198