Mobile Butcher Licence

Overview

The Mobile Butcher Licence enables a mobile butcher to slaughter an individual’s animal on the individual’s land. The meat is uninspected and is only for consumption by the animal's owner and members of their immediate household. The meat is not for sale or further distribution.

Licensee responsibilities

• Licence holders are responsible for reviewing and following applicable legislation and other licensing requirements as identified on the application form.
• Licence holders are responsible for using potable water.
• Licence holders shall ensure that animals are slaughtered humanely and safely.
• Slaughter by the licence holder is to be conducted outside on the individual's land. The slaughter process is not permitted to be conducted in a building.
• Zoning restrictions limit slaughter in some areas such as a county and/or a municipality. The licence holder is responsible for ensuring compliance with bylaws in their county or municipality.
• Licence holders transporting and disposing of cattle tissue with specified risk material (SRM) require a permit
• Licence holders are required to submit quarterly reports within 2 weeks of the end of each quarter.
• Report to Meat and Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS) if operating an Alberta Health Services (AHS) permitted meat facility.

Eligibility

You can apply for an Alberta Mobile Butcher Licence if you:

• can lawfully operate a business in Alberta
• are at least 18 years of age

Cost

5-year licence fee: $100

Licences are valid 5 years from the date of issue.

How to apply online

To apply for and purchase a Mobile Butcher licence online, you will need:

• a valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express)
• an email address (to receive updates and information about Alberta regulations)

1. Review licensing requirements and responsibilities outlined in the application.

2. Complete application and submit payment.

Mobile Butcher Licence application

3. After your application has been reviewed and processed, your licence will be sent to you by email or mail.

Processing your application may take 2 to 4 weeks.

How to apply by mail

Submit application and fee

1. Review licensing requirements and responsibilities outlined in the application.
   If not applying online, you can mail in your completed, printed application form and your cheque or money order.
    
2. Download the PDF fillable application form to your computer or print the application, then fill in the requested information.
   • Mobile Butcher licence application.
   • Note: In order for your application to be processed, the form must be complete.
      
3. Cheques or money orders should be payable to the Government of Alberta and mailed with your application form to the address below:
   
   Attention: Licensing
   Meat and Dairy Inspection Section
   J.G. O’Donoghue Building
   7000 113 Street
   Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6
   Do not send cash.

How to apply by email

Submit application and fee

1. Review licensing requirements and responsibilities outlined in the application.
    
2. Download the PDF fillable application form to your computer or print the application, then fill in the requested information.
   • Mobile Butcher licence application.
   • Note: In order for your application to be processed, the form must be complete.
      
3. Submit payment by cheque/money order or credit card. Cheques or money orders should be payable to the Government of Alberta and mailed with your application form to the address below:
   
   Attention: Licensing
   Meat and Dairy Inspection Section
   J.G. O’Donoghue Building
   7000 113 Street
   Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6
   Do not send cash.
   
   Payment by credit card is through https://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/ardpay. Under Program area, select: 'Agriculture General' and under Service you are paying for, select 'mobile butcher licence'.
    
4. Email your saved PDF application form to [email protected] and use the Subject 'Licencing'.

3. After you apply

After your application has been reviewed and processed, your licence will be sent to you by email or post.

Processing your application may take 2 to 4 weeks.

Licensed slaughter operation directory

Reporting requirements

Reporting schedule

Mobile Butcher Licence holders must submit a report within 2 weeks of the end of each of these quarters:

• Quarter 1: January to March
• Quarter 2: April to June
• Quarter 3: July to September
• Quarter 4: October to December

Animal slaughter limits per customer per calendar year:

• Six (6) large red meat animals (example: beef, bison, elk, yak, ostrich) and
• Twelve (12) hogs and
• Twelve (12) sheep and
• Twelve (12) goat and
• 150 poultry or other small animals (example: quail, rabbit)

By Mail/Email

Download and fill out the Mobile Butcher Reporting Form.

Submit report

Email

Send your completed PDF report form by clicking on the “Submit by Email” button at the bottom of the form.

Mail

If you are not sending your report forms by email, mail your printed reports to the mailing address that appears above on this page.

Online reporting

If you are interested in submitting your Mobile Butcher slaughter reports online, watch the tutorial: Opinio Mobile Butcher Data Entry.

If you would like to use this tool to submit your Mobile Butcher slaughter report, request access to the Mobile Butcher report form. MDIS will send you the link and password for the report and instructions to complete it.

Online reporting must be done while connected to the internet.

Related

• Resources for provincially licensed slaughter operations
• Livestock mortality management
• Livestock traceability
• Biosecurity and livestock