MRC provides update on abattoir re-start, seeking project manager

MRC provides update on abattoir re-start, seeking project manager

On July 26, MRC Pontiac issued a press release updating the public on the status of the abattoir in Shawville, which they purchased back in May.

Shanna Armstrong, the MRC’s economic development commissioner for agriculture, explained that they were currently waiting on approval from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation to form a non-profit “solidarity cooperative.” She said that they expect a response from the ministry within the next few weeks. Membership will include local producers, a MRC representative as well as the abattoir workers.

Once the cooperative is made official and a board of directors is finalized, they will be able to seek three different permits from the Ministry of Agriculture for slaughtering, processing and selling. Armstrong said that they had already been working to make sure they were prepared for the certifications, but didn’t have an estimate of how long the process would be. Their aim is to resume activities at the facility this fall.

Armstrong added that they are currently seeking a project manager for the AgriSaveur project, which aims to create a shared facility for local producers to process and brand their agricultural products. The abattoir and its assets were purchased with $1.6 million of funds earmarked for the project, which MRC officials thought would mesh well with the abattoir’s operations. The deadline for the job posting is August 9 at 4 p.m.