Appointed Inspector Program

Overview

Section 2(1) of the Meat Inspection Act states:

“The director may appoint veterinarians registered under the Veterinary Profession Act and other persons as inspectors.”

These individuals are generally meat inspectors who are employed by the Alberta government. However other individuals who are not Alberta government employees – and have relevant knowledge and experience – may also qualify for the Appointed Inspector Program. This includes veterinarians who are:

• registered under the Veterinary Profession Act
• licensed by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association

Safe food production

If an animal is unfit for transportation, as defined under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Transportation of Animals Program Compromised Animals Policy:

• an appointed inspector can perform an antemortem inspection
• slaughter can occur on the premises before transporting the animal to a provincially licensed abattoir
• the carcass undergoes postmortem inspection there and any further processing steps

When an inspector performs an antemortem and postmortem inspection, the meat is considered to be inspected and can be sold anywhere within Alberta.

Program benefits

The Appointed Inspector Program gives appointed individuals an opportunity to:

• apply existing knowledge in farm animal health and pathology
• gain further experience in safe food production within provincially licensed abattoirs
• gain valuable livestock-welfare learning experience

All non-Alberta government employees who participate in the program receive:

• onsite training at a provincially licensed abattoir
• compensation based on an agreement between the appointed inspector and the producer or abattoir that is requesting the service

View the Appointed inspector list.

Participants needed

This voluntary program relies on the participation of veterinarians or other individuals who have experience and knowledge in the areas of:

• farm animal health conditions
• pathology
• livestock welfare

More participants are needed, especially in remote and rural areas across the province. In some parts of Alberta, there are no appointed inspectors available.

Contact

Connect with us about the Appointed Inspector Program:

Edmonton Inspection Region
Phone: 780-422-0523
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)