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Overview
We gathered insights and perspectives on proposed On-Farm Slaughter Operation (OFSO) program requirements that reduce the risk of foodborne illness and how those changes may impact the long-term sustainability of OFSO operations.
In 2020, Alberta introduced the OFSO licence to address processing delays at inspected abattoirs and improve access to locally produced meat. The licence allows producers to sell live animals and provide slaughter services, as long as the resulting meat is not distributed beyond the customer’s household. An OFSO does not offer meat for sale, instead customers may buy a live animal from an OFSO or bring their own animal to an OFSO for slaughter and processing services. The uninspected meat is not permitted to be sold, bartered, or gifted. OFSOs were never meant as an alternative to Alberta’s licensed meat inspection system.
Get informed
OFSO licence requirements are significantly less stringent than those for inspected abattoirs. In an inspected abattoir, slaughter takes place in hygienic facilities under strict regulatory oversight for slaughter and animal disease identification. Contamination by foodborne pathogens like E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria is also monitored. In contrast, OFSO slaughter occurs outdoors in environments that are difficult to sanitize, without meat inspection and commercial food safety standards. As a result, uninspected meat produced under this licence is only for the personal use of the customer(s) and cannot be sold.
Last year about 4 million Canadians (1 in 8) experienced a foodborne illness with meat (raw, processed and cooked) being a major source of those illnesses. Foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria are often linked to undercooked or contaminated beef, poultry and pork, and can have deadly results.
Since the OFSO licence was introduced 5 years ago, government has received a growing number of complaints about illegal and inhumane slaughter, the sale of uninspected meat, and improper carcass and waste disposal. Assessments have revealed some OFSOs routinely slaughtering large numbers of animals – well beyond the program’s original intent of small-scale, household-level use.
Input received
OFSO licence holders and stakeholders were invited to share their input on proposed OFSO program requirements through an online survey between August 25 and September 22, 2025.
Outcomes
Input will be considered as part of policy and decision-making on managing OFSOs to maintain public confidence in the safety of Alberta’s food system, supporting producers and processors in building a resilient and sustainable meat industry while preserving the original intent of the OFSO program.
Contact
Connect with the Food Safety Branch:
Email: [email protected]