Choosing the Right Beef Processing Route

Alberta producers have more than one legitimate processing route. The right choice depends primarily on who owns the animal, where slaughter occurs and what will happen to the meat afterward.

If the beef will be commercially sold

Use an appropriate inspected processing route.

Alberta requires meat and meat products sold or distributed in the province to come from inspected slaughter or processing facilities as applicable.

If an owner wants their own animal for household use

A licensed mobile butcher may slaughter the owner’s animal on the owner’s land.

The resulting meat is uninspected and restricted to the owner’s household.

If using an On-Farm Slaughter Operation

The OFSO provides another licensed route for uninspected on-farm slaughter and processing.

Ownership and household-use requirements apply, and the resulting meat cannot subsequently be sold, gifted, bartered or transferred.

If further processing is needed

A licensed Mobile Butcher Facility can process qualifying uninspected meat while maintaining its uninspected status.

These facilities can also further process inspected meat under the applicable requirements.

And yes, an abattoir can be mobile

Alberta’s abattoir licensing framework can include mobile abattoirs. This provides an inspected mobile model that is legally distinct from the Mobile Butcher Licence.

Verify before booking

Rules, facility licences and available services can change. Confirm a processor’s current licence and services before transporting livestock or accepting customer orders.

The Government of Alberta maintains a searchable directory of provincially licensed slaughter operations.