SASKATOON — Saskatchewan’s brand inspection system is supposed to change this year, but it appears producers aren’t yet sure how they would like the service to be provided.
One option is for Alberta’s Livestock Inspection Services (LIS) to take over from the provincial employees who currently do the work.
However, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association members attending their semi-annual meeting Jan. 24 defeated a resolution to develop a western Canadian livestock inspection system in collaboration with LIS.
Later that same day, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association members passed a resolution at the annual meeting calling for a made-in-Saskatchewan service controlled by the industry.
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The chairs of both organizations co-chair a committee advising agriculture minister Lyle Stewart on how to proceed. Keeping LIS along with Saskatchewan oversight is one of the recommendations.
SSGA chair Harold Martens said Stewart has made it clear he believes a regional service would work best. Saskatchewan inspectors have already been providing Manitoba with the service for years.
Stewart announced last summer that the province intended to stop providing brand inspection because the costs were too high and cheaper, more efficient options were available.
Legislation was passed in November that authorizes the minister to enter into an agreement with another agency to provide brand inspection. Martens said any outside agency would be responsible to a Saskatchewan board.
The committee has had three meetings with LIS.
“We are told that they have the capacity in their computer system as it relates to inspection and brand manifests,” Martens told the meeting.
However, a fair amount of administrative work would be required before LIS could take on Saskatchewan’s work as well.
“We are hesitant to say we can get it done in 2013,” Martens said.
SCA chair Mark Elford said the committee is waiting for information from LIS before it proceeds further. This includes costs and more details about what services LIS could provide.
Associate deputy minister Nithi Govindasamy said LIS is an attractive, workable option.
“Seventy to 80 percent of slaughter animals from Saskatchewan go to Alberta, and 50 percent of feeders go to Alberta feedlots,” he told a Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference session.
“The industry committee concluded the greatest efficiencies could be achieved if our system were closely aligned with Alberta.”
