County planner Mark Van Patter says he’s generally in favour of the idea of a lamb abattoir, but there are too many unanswered questions about an application for such an operation on the south side of 8th Line here, about halfway between Sideroad 3 and Sideroad 6.
The application, submitted by LeRoy Martin proposes a 5,000 square foot abattoir for lambs on a 100 acre parcel that is currently vacant other than a small machine shed, and it is used for farming.
The property is currently designated prime agricultural and Van Patter assumes the “small scale” operation could be considered agriculture-related, but he is concerned there is “limited information” submitted with the application.
He said his biggest concern is the abattoir’s compatibility with neighbouring land uses, especially considering one home across the road would be just 500 feet away.
During a Feb. 9 public meeting on the matter, Van Patter said the following information is missing from the application:
– number of employees, hours of operation, and volume and origins of lambs to be butchered;
– whether the abattoir is seasonal in nature and if it will increase local truck traffic;
– if and for how long living animals will be housed on site;
– provincial regulations for abattoirs; and
– how the waste will be processed (and if field application of any waste is proposed).
Mayor John Green suggested, “It’s a bit premature” for council to consider a bylaw for the application and suggested the proponent meet with Van Patter to discuss the missing information.
One person in the gallery, speaking on behalf of his mother-in-law, who lives across the street from the property in question, said he is worried about health issues and specifically how the operation would dispose of blood.
The man also questioned the logic of opening a butchering operation when there is an abattoir “on the next concession” already.
Councillor Mike Downey said he agrees with Green the application is “premature,” and councillor Bruce Whale asked if abattoirs require a certificate of compliance from the Ministry of the Environment.
Van Patter said he is unsure, but there are definitely some provincial regulations.
Council voted unanimously to defer the application until it gets more information.
