Exemption allows for sale of troubled XL Foods meat plant - Action News
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Exemption allows for sale of troubled XL Foods meat plant

The sale of the Alberta meat plant at the centre of Canada's largest beef recall is now one step closer to becoming reality.

Alberta government grants JBS an exemption from foreign land ownership rules

JBS says a deal has not yet been finalized, but the company is pursuing the regulatory approvals required for it to assume ownership of the XL Foods meat plant in Brooks, Alta. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)

Thesale of theAlberta meat plant at the centre of Canada's largest beef recallis now one stepcloser to becoming reality.

JBS says it hasn't yet bought the XL Foods meat plant in Brooks, Alta., but it is moving through the steps necessary to make that happen.

Just days before Christmas, the province granted the company an exemption from foreign land ownership rules.

In the fallin the midst of an E. coliscare that stretched across the country the meat packing plantwas forced to close after several deficiencies were identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The plant was allowed toresume operations in Octoberunder enhanced oversight.

Just before it reopened, JBS stepped in to manage the plant in a deal that gave theman exclusive option to buythe Canadian and U.S. operations of XL Foods.

The Brazilian-based company is one of the world's biggest meat processing operations, and its arrival on the scene waswelcomed among many in Alberta's cattle industrywho feared for the troubled plant's future.

A JBS spokesperson says there is no timeline for a potential sale.