Disgusted by new meat processing law

Dear Editor,
I am writing in regard to new laws going into effect Sept 1, 2004 regarding farm animals not being allowed to be taken to a place for custom cutting and processing unless it is government inspected.
As we have no abbatoir in the district, meat has to be taken to Dryden or somewhere in Manitoba to have it slaughtered and inspected before allowing it to be processed at any local shop. At the same time it’s legal for wild meat such as moose, deer, bear to be done locally. I find this unbelievable.
If government wants to pass this law why don’t they have an abbatoir in the district or at least arrange for an inspector to be available.
Every time a minister is appointed to a position it seems they have a bad dream and then wake up and turn it into law and then we, especially in this district, have to pay for it; gun laws, bear hunt and now this!
It seems like this is the only time politicians know where Northwestern Ontario is, is when they pass a stupid law or election time when thy come looking for votes with their bag full of promises. There are petitions in a lot of district businesses. Please sign and support local farmers and the district.

As far as an abbatoir goes the big packing plants don’t want any more abbatoirs and I feel government caters to the “big boys” and as long as local meat shipped from here and goes to Alberta for processing and shipped back here residents can expect to pay top dollar for meat.
Signed very angry and disgusted
Lawrence Larson
Rainy River, On