Provincial

Slaughter licence: Abattoir, Farmgate Plus or Farmgate

All meat and poultry sold in BC must be slaughtered under a licence. An abattoir inspects every animal and sells anywhere in BC; Farmgate Plus (up to 25 animal units a year — the licence former Class D and E holders now have) sells anywhere in BC, labelled “Not Government Inspected”; Farmgate (up to 5 units, your own animals) sells only directly to consumers — from the farm, or at markets in your regional district or within 50 km. None of it may leave BC.

Changes are coming

  • Selling provincially slaughtered red meat to other provinces — proposed, no date set; it may not happen. What changes
  • More uses for lower-risk specified risk material — proposed, no date set; it may not happen. What changes
Who issues it
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Who needs it

Butchers, delis & fishmongersWhat your suppliers must holdMeat, poultry & egg producersRaising animals for meat, or hens for eggs.

The rules behind this page

Last checked 26 September 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

Noticed an error? Tell us

Tell us what’s wrong and where you saw it. We read every message and correct the guide.