A friendly reminder to our producers that our industry has access to this program. Find more information below.
Full information can be found here on the Government of Alberta website
Overview
The Video Ante-Mortem Inspection (VAMI) program allows for an ante-mortem inspection by video for animals that cannot be transported to an abattoir so that they may be humanely slaughtered on site.
After the animal is bled, the carcass is transported to a provincially-licensed abattoir. There, additional activities related to the slaughter are completed and a post-mortem inspection is conducted according to Alberta’s Meat Inspection Act (MIA) and Meat Inspection Regulation (MIR).
The meat may be sold if both an ante-mortem inspection and a post-mortem inspection have been conducted and passed, and the meat has been deemed fit for human consumption.
Eligibility
Species that can be slaughtered under the VAMI program are limited to domestic livestock including beef and dairy cattle, bison, cervids, hogs, sheep, lamb and goats.
VAMI can be performed only under the following circumstances:
- an animal is unfit for transport
- an animal is compromised and cannot be transported without resulting in additional suffering
- an animal is difficult to transport (in other words, it cannot be loaded or transported without endangering itself, another animal, or a person)
- an animal has escaped (provided they are contained in order for a suitable video ante-mortem inspection to be performed)
- any other circumstances prescribed and published by the Director
Cost
- There is no cost for the VAMI program. However, the licensed abattoir operator may charge to accept and process the carcass. The first step in the VAMI process is to contact a licensed abattoir operator to confirm they can and will accept the carcass.
- In some cases, appointed inspectors may assist with the VAMI and may charge a fee for this service.