In 1995 and 1996, Ontario had 279 provincially inspected plants. At the
end of the last fiscal year, ending in March 2001, 209 remained, almost a
20 per cent drop.
However, the numbers might be accelerating. This month two abattoirs,
Bearbrook Farms and an unnamed abattoir in the Russell area, were looking
for buyers.
Kleiboer said regulations are hurting the industry. " You never
know when the costs are going to stop," he said. He’s asking
$200,000 for the business. The opportunities in the area are good but only
if the provincial government in its drive to establish standards doesn’t
break the business. He employed four full-time and two part-time people.
At a meeting last fall at Kemptville, inspectors concluded plants older
than 10 years would require upgrading. Yet despite the push for higher
standards, Dr. Tom Baker told the meeting that Ontario’s provincially
inspected plants performed better than federal plants in the U.S. and
Britain.
