KAMLOOPS — Provincial meat inspectors in B.C. have been classified as essential workers after ranchers and meat processors complained that an ongoing public service strike was threatening the industry.

Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham said in a statement Thursday night that she’s pleased a deal has been reached with the B.C. General Employees’ Union and that “abattoirs play a critical role in supporting farmers and ranchers throughout B.C.”

BCGEU president Paul Finch said earlier in the day that he only found out about the problem on Wednesday and blamed the government for not making the workers essential sooner.

B.C. Cattlemen’s Association director Paul Devick had sent a letter to the province saying the strike had resulted in a work stoppage by agri-food inspectors in some a

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