N.S. Reg. 109/2026 amends the Meat Inspection Regulations under the Meat Inspection Act through Order in Council 2026-144. The amendment changes Nova Scotia’s meat inspection framework by shifting toward a risk based regulatory model, updating terminology, and expanding the role of licensed plant personnel in inspection and compliance functions. It replaces outdated references, strengthens administrative oversight, and introduces more flexible operational and inspection arrangements for licensed meat plants.

A central change is the introduction of a formal risk based scoring system for meat plants. An administrator is required to assign each licensed meat plant a score based on criteria they determine, and to classify outcomes as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. This scoring system becomes a foundation for regulatory flexibility. Plants with satisfactory scores may qualify for reduced direct inspector presence, reflecting a shift from continuous on site inspection toward performance based oversight. The system is intended to allocate regulatory resources more efficiently while maintaining food safety standards through measurable compliance indicators.

The amendment restructures roles and responsibilities. The term operator is replaced with licensee throughout the regulations, aligning terminology with licensing based governance. The role of inspector remains central in many provisions, but a new category of authorized meat plant representative is introduced. These representatives may be designated by licensees and approved by an administrator. In certain circumstances they can perform inspection related duties, including ante mortem and post mortem activities, oversight of slaughter processes, record keeping, and reporting.

Operational flexibility is expanded, particularly in relation to slaughter hours. Default permitted slaughter times are set between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays unless otherwise approved. Licensees may request changes to slaughter schedules, including additional days or temporary adjustments, with advance notice requirements of at least three business days for new or changed days and at least twenty four hours for cancellations. Slaughter outside approved hours requires special arrangements for inspection services and may incur additional fees.

Inspection and compliance provisions are updated to incorporate the new representative model. In approved circumstances, slaughter may occur without an inspector physically present if strict conditions are met, including a satisfactory risk score, approved designation of plant representatives, and ongoing oversight obligations. Authorized representatives must inspect animals prior to slaughter, be present during slaughter, ensure compliance, and maintain required records.

Additional technical changes include updates to inspection legends, requiring administrator approved stamps identifying plant numbers, and allowing modified legends for carcass portions. Forms are updated to reflect new terminology and responsibilities.

Nova Scotia (109/2026) May 15, 2026
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