By Canadian Press

‘Heavy handed’ approach would force inspectors into infected plants: Union

May 11, 2020 | 9:43 AM

OTTAWA — Canada’s Agriculture Union says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will order non-meat inspectors into meat plants under threat of discipline.

The union says the agency is instructing some of its non-meat-inspection staff to train up to be deployed to meat slaughter plants that have seen outbreaks of COVID-19.

Working conditions in the plants are a provincial responsibility but the federal inspectors are there to make sure the food they produce is safe for consumers.

A wave of COVID-19 infections has hit meat-packing plants across the country.

The union says 18 of 37 inspectors working at the Cargill plant in High River, Alta., have tested positive for the virus.

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The Agriculture Union says it’s reached out to ministers on the matter but has not had a response.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2020.

The Canadian Press