New Slaughter Limits Threaten Small Calgary Farmers

Calgarians keen on local food options can breathe a small sigh of relief as the Alberta government has paused new limits on on-farm slaughter operations. Proposed in July 2025, these rules would have restricted new on-farm slaughter facilities to selling roughly 2,250 kilograms (5,000 pounds) of live animals annually.

The decision to hit the brakes comes after significant pushback from small-scale beef producers across the province. For many Calgary residents who frequent vibrant local farmers' markets, like the Calgary Farmers' Market and Bearspaw Lions Farmers Market, these direct-from-farm connections are crucial for sourcing local, often antibiotic and hormone-free, meats. The city's food scene thrives on farm-to-table initiatives, making policies that impact small producers particularly relevant.

The On-Farm Slaughter Operation (OFSO) program, launched in 2020, was initially designed to bolster direct marketers and support smaller agricultural businesses, allowing licensed producers to slaughter animals on-site for direct sale to consumers. However, strict conditions apply: this uninspected meat is solely for the personal household consumption of the animal owner and cannot be commercially distributed. While supporting local farms is a priority, the government has also emphasized enforcing food safety, proposing increased fines in October 2024 for illegal slaughter and the sale of uninspected meat.

This pause highlights the ongoing dialogue in Alberta's agricultural sector, balancing support for small producers and consumer access to diverse food choices with vital food safety regulations.