|
A change to the Game Farm Regulation will enable the public to purchase territorially-inspected game meats from Yukon retailers, Environment Minister Elaine Taylor announced.
"The Yukon government is committed to promoting agriculture," Taylor said. "With this change, Yukon-grown products will be made available locally and will create better access to markets."
Up until now, the Yukon's small game farming industry had to rely mainly on farm-gate sales. The new rule will allow for sales to Yukon retailers and other businesses, provided they acquire an annual permit. The Wildlife Act allows only individuals with a permit to sell game meat.
The new rule will make it possible for retailers to offer local bison and elk meat, sausages and other products to consumers who wish to make healthy and environmentally conscious choices.
The Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board consulted with the public earlier about the proposed regulation change and found general support for the new rule.
"This regulatory change will assist the growth of the agriculture industry by allowing elk and bison farmers to access mainstream markets and sell their Yukon-grown products to restaurants and grocery stores," Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Brad Cathers said.
"This is a change we've been looking forward to and I expect we'll see some growth in the industry," Wayne Grove of the Game Growers' Association said.
The government's Multi-year Development Plan for Yukon Agriculture and Agri-food 2008 to 2012 calls for increased local meat production and sales. The regulation change supports this goal.
|
