Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – The Alberta government is hitting pause on recent changes to its On-Farm Slaughter Program (OFSO) following concerns raised by producers about the impact on their operations.

The changes, which took effect July 2, will be suspended to allow further consultation with licensed operators. The government said it wants to ensure the long-term viability of producers while maintaining food safety and animal welfare standards.

“We understand the concerns that have been raised by producers and stakeholders and are taking immediate steps to consider those perspectives as we move forward,” the province said in a statement, adding, “We remain committed to our ongoing efforts to support producers, OFSO’s, and abattoirs, while we continue to protect public health.”

LEARN MORE: New Tech Aims to Improve On-Site Animal Care Diagnostics

The OFSO program allows licensed operators to sell live animals directly to consumers and carry out uninspected slaughter for the owner’s personal use. This meat cannot be sold, shared, or distributed commercially.

The government emphasized that its goal is to support rural producers and maintain public confidence in the province’s food system. “Our objective remains clear: to maintain public confidence in the safety of Alberta’s food system, while supporting producers and processors in building a resilient and sustainable meat industry. That is why our government implemented the OFSO program in the first place,” it said.

Online surveys will soon be sent to licensed operators as part of the province’s ongoing program review.