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Preamble:
WHEREAS the federal Food and Drug Act and related regulations outlaws the sale of any milk or cream that has not been pasteurized or sterilized; and
WHEREAS the provincial Meat Inspection Act and Meat Inspection Regulation outlaws the sale or distribution of any meat unless it has been inspected; and
WHEREAS the federal Safe Food for Canadians Act outlaws the sale of uninspected meat sold interprovincially and internationally; and
WHEREAS proper handling, hygiene and temperature control reduce the risk of contamination in meat products, regardless of inspection; and
WHEREAS small-scale, direct-to-consumer sales reduce the distance that food products travel and the time between milking and consumption; and
WHEREAS the Meat Inspection Amendment Act increased the maximum fine for selling uninspected meat from $10,000 to $100,000 reflecting a growing tension between food safety enforcement and producers; and
WHEREAS direct to consumer sales, without formal inspection by federal or state authorities, operate successfully in the United States under the Custom-Exempt rule; and
WHEREAS Albertans can make informed decisions about the food they consume.
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate the Government of Canada to establish exemptions within the Food and Drug Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Act that allow for direct-farm marketing to sell uninspected meat and unpasteurized dairy directly to consumers.
Member Background:
The sale of uninspected meat and unpasteurized dairy is prohibited across Canada under federal and provincial legislation.
Historically, the regulations were established in response to outbreaks of Salmonella, Listeria and E.coli. While these measures have significantly improved food safety in Canada, they have also presented challenges for small-scale, local producers who operate within shorter supply chains and whose products often cater to niche markets or local communities.
The current federal regulations favour large-scale industrial food systems, limiting opportunities for direct-farm marketing to participate in local economies. Due to federal regulations, the Government of Alberta cannot create exemptions for local sales, even when adequate safeguards could be implemented. As a result, direct-farm marketing producers are restricted in their ability to sell directly to consumers, stifling rural economic development and limiting consumer access to locally produced food.
While RMA has not previously advocated for this specific policy, it has supported advocacy efforts for policies that support rural economic development. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture and National Farmers Union have supported initiatives to reduce regulatory barriers for direct-farm marketing.
There is a notable increase in consumer interest in locally produced food in Alberta. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Province of Alberta, 92% of Alberta households purchased local food from supermarkets and 80% from farmers markets. Direct-farm marketing often know their customers personally, creating a strong incentive to maintain food safety standards. With appropriate training and adherence to safe practices, the risk of foodborne illnesses can be minimized. Further, direct-farm marketing often has better control over individual animal health, milking conditions, and can provide individualized care during slaughter and processing. Regulatory flexibility, such as requiring producers to complete safety training or permitting sales under a “buyer beware” framework, empowers consumers to make informed choices about the source of their food, while also maintaining safe practices.
A federal framework exempting direct-farm marketing from dairy pasteurization and meat inspection laws would empower local economies, uphold consumer choice and maintain appropriate food safety standards through education, labelling, and producer accountability.
RMA Background:
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
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