A Cookstown farm has been charged for operating a meat plant without a licence.
In February, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (now the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness) “became aware of illegal activities” occurring at Bereket Farms Ltd., it stated in a news release.
On March 1, ministry investigators conducted surveillance on the farm, located at 6159 5th Sideroad.
“Investigators observed a vehicle attending the property and its occupants entering the barn to pick out live animals, which were then slaughtered, butchered and sold to them.”
Bereket Farms is not licensed as a meat plant under the Food Safety and Quality Act, the ministry noted, adding the animals were not inspected by the ministry before and after slaughter, as required by law.
Investigators seized the meat, and it was voluntarily disposed of by the occupants of the vehicle.
On Aug. 15, Mustafa Cure, chief operator and director of Bereket Farms, appeared in court and, on behalf of the company, pleaded guilty to operating a meat plant without a licence. The company was fined $5,000, plus a victim fine surcharge.
