Table of contents

Overview

The Mobile Butcher Licence enables a mobile butcher to slaughter an individual’s animal on the individual’s land. The meat is uninspected and is only for consumption by the animal's owner and members of their immediate household. The meat is not for sale or further distribution.

Licensee responsibilities

  • Licence holders are responsible for reviewing and following applicable legislation and other licensing requirements as identified on the application form.
  • Licence holders are responsible for using potable water.
  • Licence holders shall ensure that animals are slaughtered humanely and safely.
  • Zoning restrictions limit slaughter in some areas such as a county and/or a municipality. The licence holder is responsible for ensuring compliance with bylaws in their county or municipality.
  • Licence holders transporting and disposing of cattle tissue with specified risk material (SRM) require a permit
  • Licence holders are required to submit quarterly reports within 2 weeks of the end of each quarter.
  • Report to Meat and Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS) if operating an AHS permitted meat facility.

Eligibility

You can apply for an Alberta Mobile Butcher Licence if you:

  • Can lawfully operate a business in Alberta
  • Are at least 18 years of age

Cost

5-year licence fee: $100

Licences are valid 5 years from the date of issue.

How to apply online

To apply for and purchase a Mobile Butcher licence online, you will need:

  • A valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) or Interac debit card
  • An email address (to receive updates and information about Alberta regulations)

1. Review licensing requirements and responsibilities outlined in the application

2. Complete application and submit payment

Mobile Butcher Licence application

3. After your application has been reviewed and processed, your licence will be sent to you by email or mail.

Processing your application may take 2 to 4 weeks.

How to apply by mail

Submit application and fee

  1. Review licensing requirements and responsibilities outlined in the application
    If not applying online, you can mail in your completed, printed application form and your cheque or money order.
  2. Download the PDF fillable application form to your computer or print the application, then fill in the requested information.

Note: In order for your application to be processed, the form must be complete.

PDF form issues

Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:

  1. Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
  2. Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.

If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.

Cheques or money orders should be payable to the Government of Alberta and mailed with your application form to the address below:

Attention: Licensing
Meat and Dairy Inspection Section
Agriculture and Irrigation
J.G. O’Donoghue Building
7000 113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6

Do not send cash.

3. After you apply

After your application has been reviewed and processed, your licence will be sent to you by email or post.

Processing your application may take 2 to 4 weeks.

Licensed slaughter operation directory

This searchable directory helps customers find provincially licensed slaughter operations or meat facilities located across Alberta. Your business information will be included in the directory. To opt out of the directory, contact us at [email protected].

Reporting requirements

Reporting schedule

Mobile Butcher Licence holders must submit a report within 2 weeks of the end of each of these quarters:

  • Quarter 1: January to March
  • Quarter 2: April to June
  • Quarter 3: July to September
  • Quarter 4: October to December

Animal slaughter limits per customer per calendar year:

  • Six (6) large red meat animals (example: beef, bison, elk, yak, ostrich) and
  • Twelve (12) hogs and
  • Twelve (12) sheep and
  • Twelve (12) goat and
  • 150 poultry or other small animals (example: quail, rabbit)

Quarterly reporting enables the Alberta government to monitor designated slaughter limits per producer or customer consumption. Adhering to slaughter limits is the responsibility of the licence holder.

By Mail/Email

Download and fill out the Mobile Butcher Reporting Form (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Submit report

Email

Send your completed PDF report form by clicking on the “Submit by Email” button at the bottom of the form.

Mail

If you are not sending your report forms by email, mail your printed reports to the mailing address that appears above on this page.

Online Reporting

If you are interested in submitting your Mobile Butcher slaughter reports online, watch the tutorial: Opinio Mobile Butcher Data Entry.

If you would like to use this tool to submit your Mobile Butcher slaughter report, click here to request access to the Mobile Butcher report form. MDIS will send you the link and password for the report and instructions to complete it.

Online reporting must be done while connected to the internet.

Contact

If you have questions about the Mobile Butcher Licence, contact: [email protected]

Should you have any questions about on-line reporting, please contact:

Bill Liu
Phone: 780-644-8854
Cell: 780-863-6849
Email: [email protected]

Related

Livestock mortality management

Livestock traceability

Biosecurity and livestock

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