On Part II, we continue where Part I left off and begin taking a much more on-the-ground look at how one community has begun responding to the increasing demand for safer and more responsibly produced local meat.
The Livestock Lost series examines the farming and business of meat, dairy and egg production. It will explore the known and unknown dangers of meat production and what people can do to source alternatives to what many would refer to as a cultural staple of the North American diet.
Part II - Local Meat? "Not in My Backyard?" On Part II, we continue where Part I left off and begin taking a much more on-the-ground look at how one community has begun responding to these regulation changes and to the increasing demand for safer and more responsibly produced local food. As many areas throughout BC scramble to meet the new slaughterhouse regulations, an important and critical lesson is being learned of what happens when communities begin to take a more serious approach to localize their food system.
Situated in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia is the narrow Slocan Valley; home to many small-scale farmers raising livestock. The region is one of many in the Province that is now without a licensed slaughterhouse. Any sale of local meat in the area is now deemed as criminal according to regulations put in place in October 2007.
As a response, a co-operative abattoir (slaughterhouse) group was formed to ensure that meat can continue to legally be processed in the region. Three proposed locations later, the group continues to run up against opposition from meat eaters and vegetarians alike.
Guests/Voices
Kenyon McGee, Spokesperson, Slocan Valley Abattoir Co-operative (Winlaw, BC) - Kenyon is a lawyer with Kenyon McGee Law Corporation and has been involved with the abattoir co-operative since it was first formed in 2007. He has lived in the area for 30 years and has had experience raising and butchering livestock.
Corky Evans, MLA Nelson-Creston / NDP Opposition Critic for Agriculture and Lands, "New Democratic Party of British Columbia" (Winlaw, BC) - Corky Evans was elected as the MLA for Nelson Creston in 1991, and was re-elected in 1996. He was once again elected to represent his constituents on May 17, 2005. Corky has ten years experience as an MLA, during which time he served in many cabinet portfolios, including Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. He now serves as Opposition Critic for Agriculture and Lands.
Abra Brynne, MIES Help Desk, British Columbia Food Processors Association (BCFPA) (Nelson, BC) - Abra has been hired part-time to work with the BCFPAs Meat Industry Enhancement Strategy (MIES). Her role is to work with producers in the southern part of the Province and assist them in the transition to the new inspection regulations put in place in October 2007.
Please contact deconstructingdinner@cjly.net when using
![<?php echo $config['site_title']; ?>](/static/images/rp-navimg.gif)
![Support the <?php echo $config['site_title']; ?>](/static/images/support.png)
