Abattoir for sheep products to open in Cowansville

Myriam Langlois and Jamie Schofield are co-owners of La Bêlerie in Cowansville, which started as a sheep raising operation in 2017. They raise around 1,800 sheep per year and consistently surpass the norms of the industry for the wellbeing of their animals. In March 2020, La Bêlerie expanded its operations of distribution and transformation by opening a butcher and a boutique at 333 Brosseau road in Cowansville. They also launched their website where they offer recipes as well as an online version of their store which offers varied boxes of their products.

Recently, Langlois and Schofield announced in a press release that their business will be expanding once again, this time with the construction of an abattoir that will process and transform sheep products. At the cutting edge of technology, the 22,000 square-foot building will be outfitted with a high-volume cutting room, as well as a packing line held to the highest standards. The project will cost around $7 million and is supported by a solid collaboration with the town of Cowansville. The abattoir could open as soon as Spring 2021.

With the construction going forward, La Bêlerie will be able to continue its mission to make mutton even more accessible for consumers. The new installations are situated on the neighbouring lot of the already established boutique and butcher. This addition is important in continuing the vision that Langlois and Schofield have for their business. It also allows them to address an important issue that producers in Quebec have been facing, namely a lack of abattoirs in the province.

Schofield explained that even beyond their own business, this construction is a step towards the dietary autonomy that much of Quebec aspires for. He added that recently the government of François Legault published a strategy about the buying of food in Quebec that spoke to the same autonomy. He and Langlois are happy to add their concrete efforts that are in line with the direction of the government on this issue. Langlois added that they are happy to also support the economic development of the region and of Quebec.

Eighty jobs will be created with the establishment of the new infrastructure. Langlois added that the collaboration of the Bank of Montreal, Services aux Entreprises de Granby and Investissement Quebec was key to financing this project.

In a year where many businesses have been struggling, it is encouraging to see local success stories such as this.