The Town of Battleford could soon be home to a meat packing plant, if town council approves the application.
Munawar Sabir has submitted a discretionary use application to town council, asking for permission to establish a meat processing plant at 501 - 20th Street.
Town administrator Sheryl Ballendine informed council all residents within the required 75-meter radius had been informed of the application, adding the area had been extended further and an announcement was run in the newspaper.
Ballendine said no written objections were received, although the town office received four or five phone calls on the matter.
She explained the main concern was that of odour control.
"It's been a topic of discussion around my doorstep," said mayor Chris Odishaw, adding the majority of people he's talked to are happy to have more business coming to Battleford, but some have voiced concerns about odour and waste water.
Sabir, who was present at the Dec. 20 town council meeting, answered questions from council.
"With the modern meat plants, really there is no smell, because everything is inside," said Sabir.
He explained the cattle would be brought in to the facility and slaughtered on the same day.
Waste disposal would also occur on the same day, said Sabir, adding there would be no rendering at the Battleford plant. Rendering, which is the processing of animal by-products such as blood, skin and fat, is typically the process producing the most odour, as it can involve steam treatment and evaporation techniques to convert the waste animal tissue into products such as lard and animal or pet food.
Sabir said the waste animal tissue would be transported to Saskatoon for rendering.
The relatively small-scale plant - 12,000 square feet - would begin by processing approximately only 10 head of cattle and 20 lambs, four or five days per week.
At the moment, Sabir said the plan would be to renovate the existing structure and, "if it is structurally feasible," add office space and potentially a shop where meat products could be purchased directly from the plant.
"There's not a lot of concern from the public on this," said Ballendine, adding the town office would be working together with Sabir on the application as they set up requirements, such as maintenance of the well on the property in question.
Councillor Cameron Duncan inquired whether the rest of the property would be cleaned up, adding the current appearance is unsatisfactory.
"It might be better just to start fresh," said Duncan, suggesting existing structures be torn down.
At which point Odishaw took the opportunity to inform Sabir of the two-year tax concession for new builds.
"We look forward to the ribbon cutting," said Odishaw. "I'm inviting myself."
