Public Inquiry into E. Coli Beef Recall Rejected

Alberta Premier Alison Redford has rejected a call for a public inquiry into an E. coli scare that prompted a massive recall at a Canadian beef packer.

EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Alison Redford has rejected a call for a public inquiry into an E. coli scare that prompted a massive recall at a southern Alberta beef packer.

Speaking in Red Deer before her premier's dinner, Redford said it's more important to learn from what happened at the XL Foods plant in Brooks.

She said the province needs to work with the federal agriculture minister, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and XL Foods to see what needs to be improved.

Doug O'Halloran, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401, said Wednesday that an inquiry was needed to examine the problems that led to the tainted meat.

The food inspection agency has announced that XL is being allowed to resume limited processing of carcasses already at the plant.

But no meat will be shipped out until inspectors are confident that E. coli control measures are being followed.

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