The purpose of this Act is to support and promote the agriculture industry in the Province through an efficient, effective and appropriate meat inspection system providing consumers with safe and wholesome Nova Scotia meat and meat products while recognizing the following principles: a) the right of the consumer to purchase inspected meat; b) the responsibility of producers and processors of meat products to provide a safe and wholesome product; c) the right to produce and sell wholesome product direct to the consumer; d) that slaughter be conducted in a humane manner; (e) that producers, processors and retailers of meat products, government and the consumer have a shared responsibility concerning meat for human consumption; f) that government provide a responsive, effective, fair, timely and efficient administrative and regulatory system, recognizing that whenever practical, it is essential to promote the purpose of this Act primarily through non-regulatory means such as co-operation, communication, education and partnerships. In particular, section 6 establishes that the Minister, with the approval of the Governor in Council, may establish a Meat Inspection Board. The Board shall: a) advise the Minister on such matters relating to meat and meat products as are referred by the Minister to the Board for consideration; b) bring to the attention of the Minister matters of interest and concern to the public, meat plant owners and livestock owners respecting meat and meat products. The text – consisting of 34 sections – deals with the following aspects: requirement for licence, ground for refusal of licence, supervision and revocation of licence, communication of reasons for action on licence, appeals, plant operations, manner of slaughter, sale of meat, requirement for inspection and offence and penalties.
Canada · 1996-07-17