NANAIMO - Dramatic changes are coming to the way your food is inspected and opponents say it will put your familys health at risk. Right now meat processing plants across the country are monitored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency - making sure they are sticking to strict guidelines and watching for any hint of disease or dangerous bacteria. But Ottawa is changing that creating a two-tiered system where CFIA Inspectors are only responsible for plants that are producing meat destined for the entire country. Provincially licensed plants which only distribute in their home province will be the responsibility of their own provincial government. Rod Plecas operates a custom slaughter and meat processing service just south of Nanaimo - a family business since 1962. It hasnt been the easiest way to make a living. Finding enough customers to keep afloat is a challenge, but so is following strict guidelines and health rules. A representative from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is present for every kill. But Plecas says its a government service thats needed. Presently, the province pays CFIA for Inspections. Rod Plecas agrees the plan could be unsafe for consumers - and bad for businesses like his. He worries about what will happen in 2014 and whether or not the province will pick up the tab for inspectors, or the farmers themselves will have to pay. Follow Jonathan Bartlett on Twitter - The PSA, which represents independent government meat inspectors, voices its concern over the safety of meat being processed at the Affco Imlay meat plant since a company-led meat inspection trial began there last year.NANAIMO - Dramatic changes are coming to the way your food is inspected and opponents say it will put your familys health at risk. Right now meat processing plants across the country are monitored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency - making sure they are sticking to strict guidelines and watching for any hint of disease or dangerous bacteria. But Ottawa is changing that creating a two-tiered system where CFIA Inspectors are only responsible for plants that are producing meat destined for the entire country. Provincially licensed plants which only distribute in their home province will be the responsibility of their own provincial government. Rod Plecas operates a custom slaughter and meat processing service just south of Nanaimo - a family business since 1962. It hasnt been the easiest way to make a living. Finding enough customers to keep afloat is a challenge, but so is following strict guidelines and health rules. A representative from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is present for every kill. But Plecas says its a government service thats needed. Presently, the province pays CFIA for Inspections. Rod Plecas agrees the plan could be unsafe for consumers - and bad for businesses like his. He worries about what will happen in 2014 and whether or not the province will pick up the tab for inspectors, or the farmers themselves will have to pay. Follow Jonathan Bartlett on Twitter - NZ Meat inspected by Chinese authorities Chinese officials are heading to New Zealand to inspect our meat works and cold stores. The move follows a hold-up of New Zealand meat products at Chinese ports last month, after the Ministry of Primary Industries neglected to provide the correct documentation to the Chinese authorities. Despite this, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy insists New Zealand and our food safety systems are trusted. Speaking on The Nation, Mr Guy said China wasnt frustrated with us on food safety issues. The meat issue was to do with a documentation issue, nothing to do with food safety. He said the proposed inspection is good news for the meat industry as New Zealand can get a wider certification process underway. I think what youre hearing from the [Chinese] Premier is they just want to have some greater reassurance for their consumers.no description availableno description availableno description availableNANAIMO - Dramatic changes are coming to the way your food is inspected and opponents say it will put your familys health at risk. Right now meat processing plants across the country are monitored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency - making sure they are sticking to strict guidelines and watching for any hint of disease or dangerous bacteria. But Ottawa is changing that creating a two-tiered system where CFIA Inspectors are only responsible for plants that are producing meat destined for the entire country. Provincially licensed plants which only distribute in their home province will be the responsibility of their own provincial government. Rod Plecas operates a custom slaughter and meat processing service just south of Nanaimo - a family business since 1962. It hasnt been the easiest way to make a living. Finding enough customers to keep afloat is a ch

• published: 28 Jan 2014
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