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Premier wonders how beef testing could be improved

Premier Alison Redford wants answers over some aspects of testing as concerns over E. coli in beef from a southern Alberta meat-packing plant continue to grow.
Alison Redford
Alberta Premier Alison Redford scrums with the media following her meeting with B.C. Premier Christy Clark to discuss the Northern Gateway pipeline in Calgary on Monday

EDMONTON — Premier Alison Redford wants answers over some aspects of testing as concerns over E. coli in beef from a southern Alberta meat-packing plant continue to grow.

Redford says there may be ways to improve the timing of tests to prevent situations such as the recall of meat from XL Foods which now includes more than 1,500 products.

She’s wondering if there may also be improved technologies that could be used.

Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister is sending a letter to the federal government complaining about the handling of the recall.

Lyle Stewart says he is unhappy with how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has dealt with the problem.

He is also concerned about the closure of the plant in Brooks, Alta., which handles 35 per cent of Canada’s beef.