A slaughterhouse and butcher shop in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, along with its owner, are facing multiple charges due to serious breaches of federal regulations aimed at safeguarding animal health and food safety. Curtmar Meats and its proprietor, Curtis Moxsom, have each been charged with five violations under the Health of Animals Act and Health of Animals Regulations. The alleged infractions include failing to adhere to guidelines for handling specified risk material, which is essential for preventing the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.
During a recent court hearing at Shubenacadie provincial court, the arraignment was postponed until the following month. The accused parties are also accused of providing false or misleading information during an inspection. In response, their lawyer, Robert H. Pineo, issued a statement denying the allegations and expressing intent to vigorously contest the charges in court, asserting confidence in demonstrating compliance with all relevant regulations. Pineo emphasized that the company remains in compliance with provincial regulations and that all meat sold at the establishment has passed government inspections.
According to information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website, charges for violations of its regulations have been infrequent in recent years. The CFIA clarified that charges under the Health of Animals Act and its Regulations are uncommon but are pursued when investigations uncover serious non-compliance. Despite the charges, the business remains operational as it is under provincial regulation, with no directive from the province to cease operations.
Curtmar Meats is situated at the former location of Moxsom Meats, which, under previous ownership, had its license suspended by provincial authorities and pleaded guilty to multiple Meat Inspection Act violations in 2019. An engineering firm’s project description indicates that the facility required significant structural upgrades and a complete restart of food safety and environmental permits to reopen as Curtmar Meats, which commenced operations in 2020.