(Photo: The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

Province working with Canadian Food Inspection Agency to bolster food inspector roster

Apr 2, 2020 | 9:07 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta is teaming up with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to increase food inspector capacity.

The province said this will help ensure the continuous operation of Alberta’s food supply chain.

Training is set to start soon. That will allow provincial meat inspectors to be deployed into high-priority federally licensed plants in Alberta as the demand for more inspectors increases.

Due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the province said the food processing industry is experience an increase in demand. The redeployments of inspectors will help in keeping food product on shelves across Alberta.

“Protecting the health and safety of inspectors and workers in meat processing facilities is a critical element in meeting the demands of both domestic and export markets,” read a release from the provincial government.

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Additionally, the government noted that steps have been taken to increase provincial inspector capacity by bringing back retired examiners.

“We must continue to provide high-quality food for Canadians, while ensuring we protect the health of our workers. By working together, our governments have ensured we have a COVID-19 contingency plan for inspection services,” stated Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Marie-Claude Bibeau in the release.

“It is critical for Alberta families, our food supply and to our economy that the meat industry operates at its maximum capacity. We are working with the CFIA to integrate our provincial inspectors into federally licenced plants to help keep Albertans fed,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The CFIA regulates about 74 animal slaughter, meat processing and meat storage establishments in Alberta.

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