Ranchers and meat processors in British Columbia are calling for agriculture to be classified as an essential service amidst an ongoing public service strike that is jeopardizing the industry.
Paul Devick, a director of the BC Cattlemen’s Association, expressed concern in a letter to the province about the impact of the strike on agri-food inspectors, leading to work stoppages in certain areas. This disruption has significantly affected meat processing at slaughterhouses, causing harm to the ranching and agri-food sectors.
Devick is advocating for the agriculture sector and related services to be recognized as essential to ensure uninterrupted access to meat inspection services. Premier David Eby is supportive of this stance, citing past instances where agriculture was considered essential during labor disputes.
Eby has stated that the government will seek essential-service status for agriculture through the Labour Relations Board to address the current situation. Despite the strike, Eby reassured the public that food supplies will not be impacted significantly, as the majority of slaughterhouses in B.C. are federally inspected.
He emphasized that the primary concern is animal welfare rather than food security, underscoring the importance of preventing unnecessary suffering among animal populations and supporting farmers dependent on provincially inspected facilities.
Devick highlighted the critical role of meat processing for ranchers’ livelihoods, noting that many youth in the industry rely on selling their beef projects for funding post-secondary education. The disruption in processing jeopardizes these projects and the operations of family-run slaughterhouses.
The strike by the BC General Employees’ Union, affecting over 4,000 members of the B.C. public service, has entered its second week. Pickets have been staged in various cities, including Victoria, Surrey, Prince George, Kamloops, and Kelowna.