By Gina Teel – Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
The CCA welcomed new board members Grant Huffman (B.C.), Roland Cailliau (AB), Lynn Grant (SK) and Victor Oulton (NS) for the 2017-18 term. PEI will be sending a new representative at a later date. The CCA thanked past directors John Anderson (B.C.), Howard Bekkering (AB), Perry Rasmuson (SK), George Smith (NS) and Ivan Johnson (PEI) for their tremendous contributions to the Canadian beef industry over the years.
The pursuit of trade opportunities, particularly in the wake of the U.S. election, was a key topic at the AGM. The CCA is concerned that the growing anti-trade rhetoric is extremely dangerous to the long-term viability of market-based trade and global economic growth. A fundamental goal of the CCA is to support policies that call for the removal of unnecessary barriers to trade.
There was extensive discussion amongst committee members on the prospects for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement without the United States. The withdrawal of the U.S. from the agreement renders the current coming-into-force provisions of the TPP moot, and the TPP cannot come into effect unless the formula in that provision is changed.
“Building positive relationships is a core element of the CCA’s work”
The CCA has encouraged the Government of Canada to pursue a strategy that delivers the trade access that Canadian beef producers need regardless of the action the U.S. takes. This could mean completing a Canada-Japan bilateral agreement or perhaps amending the TPP provisions so that it can be implemented by some of the remaining 11 members without the U.S. It remains unclear what strategy the Government of Canada will in fact pursue.
The ongoing issues and efforts surrounding the implementation of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) were also discussed. The CCA continues to work with government on addressing technical issues that need to be resolved in order for CETA to deliver on its potential for beef exports. The CCA has also requested that the beef industry is given equivalent consideration as others have been provided regarding transitional investment to compete under the CETA. Committee members continue to support the potential of these agreements while expressing concern over the challenges in fully realizing that potential.
Climate change discussions, particularly around carbon pricing, remain a key environmental policy focus area. Committee discussions centered on further strengthening of the carbon policy due to the announcement of the climate pricing framework by the federal government that will be implemented provincially.
In a related discussion, members noted that with the change in direction of our largest trading partner (the U.S.) with regards to carbon pricing, that the CCA lobby the federal government that any existing or future policies regarding price on carbon cannot have a negative impact on the competitiveness of the industry as a whole.
There was some discussion on the CCA’s submission in response to the federal government’s seven draft policies under the Species at Risk Act. The submission was written from the perspective of how further improve those policies. The CCA recommends a strong stewardship approach as the best way to engage with the agriculture community in species at risk conservation, to further include socio-economic considerations and the ability to better manage for multiple species.
Work progressing in the animal health and care committee focused on the next steps of the proposed regulatory amendments to Canada’s animal transport regulations and traceability. In domestic agriculture policy and regulations committee discussions focused primarily on the proposed animal transport regulation updates and CCA’s engagement with the government on Next Policy Framework consultations. It’s anticipated the NPF agreement will be signed this summer. Discussions were largely around Business risk management programming and related ongoing research and analysis.
In the value creation and competitiveness committee, the focus was on the chronic labour shortages in agriculture in general and meat processing continued, with the gap expected to increase in scope. Significant shortages in the meat packing plants result in major trade opportunities lost. Cargill indicates the plant in Alberta has 100-150 empty positions each day, and also at its Ontario plant an estimated 50-60 positions. The need to operationalize a working program specific to the agriculture and agri-food industry is critical. Updates on the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP +) program were provided. VBP+ program has an opportunity to play a role in enhancing public trust, and has expanded efforts to consistently deliver training and verification services as a pathway to sustainable beef. The CCA will continue to ensure all this information is communicated clearly to governments, key influencers and stakeholders.
Building positive relationships is a core element of the CCA’s work and this much was clear at the CCA’s annual reception. Fondly dubbed the ‘Canadian Beef, Beer and Whisky’ event, the CCA reception was a huge success, attracting one of the largest crowds of MPs, senators and other key influencers to our events ever. This was a pleasant surprise given there was a late vote in the House of Commons to compete with.
MP Mike Bossio delivered remarks on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and later met with representatives of the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders and the Young Cattlemen’s Council, the CCA’s flagship youth mentorship programs. There is no doubt that all of this advocating work will help support a strong and viable beef industry into the future.
Source: Canada Meat Business