Industry exposure

[ValueChainFX]

Please tell me you watched W Five on what is happening in our meat industry??? Some producers in Alberta and across Canada are working on what they see as a long term fix, as it clears the legal and regulatory bodies the steps are being taken.

[nerves]

sorry missed it the flames are playing you know. Fill us in a bit please on what they are planning.

[cowman]

Well I saw the W5 program and it wasn't pretty but it was fairly realistic about what goes on? Value chain knows what happens in a lot of these plants. Linda, I'm not real sure if I know the plant you use but I suspect I do. I'm glad you are so satisfied with them. Maybe you should ask them why they had a load of meat rejected two months ago by SAIT? Or how the fungus infestation is doing in the cooler coils? Or how their cockroach problem is being handled?
Visit your local auction mart and ask them where they send all the downers and cancer eyes that are too disgusting to run through the ring?
The packing plant is only as good as the owner and the inspectors. Generally both try to do the right thing.

[nerves]

cowman we are talking present regulation not two years ago. Try to get in any of that type of animal that is down or has cancer you may get it there but it will also be rejected.(by that I mean killed and inspected). The inspectors head is on the chopping now as is the plant. As far as mildew all of the doors frams of any plants freezer entrances have to be caulked and sealed this part of the building inspection to keep moisture out it is watched for now days. Water is also often test because you are washing out the carcass tools and floors, hooks and tools must also be stainles steel. Now saying that people are people maybe inspectors can be bought who knows but these people are held accountable and sooner or later they will get caught.

[cakadu]

Cowman, I'm sure there are problems at any plant - regardless of whether it is federally or provincially inspected. I may not know all of what happens at a meat packing plant because I've never worked at one and don't ever plan to. Being a federal plant does not guarantee you that there will be no problems any more than being a provincial plant guarantees that you will have problems.

One thing that I do know for sure is that the major recalls in recent years have come from federally inspected plants with high volume. To me those present far more of a problem because the meat goes to many places, it may not be easily recalled and the potential to do harm is far greater. One example I can give you is hamburger patties that were made in April, sold in a major grocery chain in June and the recall didn't happen until July. Now, in the middle of prime barbeque season what are the chances of those patties still being around?

There can be problems anywhere at any time. The turnover at some of these federal plants runs in the neighborhood of 60% per year. As a matter of fact, in working on some food processing/food safety initiatives and the human resources required for processing (not just in meat plants but in a number of major processing plants), one of the HR people from a big meat packer said if they could keep it at 60% they'd be happy. Now, you can't tell me with that kind of turnover that the potential for things to happen isn't significant because you've got new people all the time who need to learn procedures, the importance offood safety and hygiene, understand HACCP, together with all of the other concerns regarding buildings etc.

In terms of the processor owned plants, I have asked some very basic business-oriented questions that I am patiently waiting for someone to answer and I hope someone can answer them for me. As I have said, over the last 10 to 12 years, I have seen a number of plans, research documents and proposals with respect to owning or establishing one's own plants. In order to part with any of my hard-earned dollars, I would need to have these questions answered and I would also encourage others to find answers to what they need as well.

As with many things, gone are the days when people tell you they have a great idea - we'll build it and they will come. From where I stand, you've got to be able to provide people with the answers to the questions they are asking and not dismiss them as being negative, unable to let go of the past, not thinking outside of the box because they probably could if given the proper information. If people are unwilling to provide answers - for whatever reason - then that is when doubt, assumption and an unwillingness to participate arise.

I wonder how much of this will all be a moot point now anyway, with the border opening up a little more as of tomorrow?

[blackjack]

For anyone that missed the W-five show you can read in on the ctv.ca website.

[nerves]

I got to see part of it this morning maybe that is how road kill got into the system down east to. Any plants that we work with here in Alberta I walk through the whole operation we talk to the inspectors, owners and the people working the plant we get to know them on a fist name basis I want to see what goes on before we send our animals to slaughter. I think you should always look things over in the end you want to see Quality. That to me is another advantage to a small plant maybe it is time to more involved with our food system. Find a good operator and back them through the good times and bad times and they will always be there.

[nerves]

another little bit to add there is always extremes we had a bull last fall that had a hernia I told our processor about it and he said the only way he would accept it was if I had paper saying it had been inspected and signed by our local vet before it stepped off the trailer. I knew right then and there that was the processor for us.

[magpie]

Gentlemen has everyone forgot the thread on Sunday Peter Warren talk radio Feb. 19 where he talked about this book that this doctor was writing about how this book was going to go worldwide? If I remember correctly this was going to have major implications on the processing industry, as he was saying that the prion that causes BSE occurs naturally and he could prove it by studying some cannibal tribe. Now the way I see this unfolding, if this scientist has been able to discover the connection to BSE and humans we will have to test. I think the book comes out in may.

[magpie]

Sorry wrong place I will move it