Truckers and others have been protesting COVID restrictions at the Coutts, Alta. border crossing since Jan. 29
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canadian ag industry organizations are concerned about how a protest at a Canada-U.S. border crossing is affecting the sector.
Truckers, farmers and citizens opposed to vaccine mandates and other COVID restrictions have been protesting at the Coutts, Alta. border crossing into the United States since Jan. 29.
The delays at the border have created challenges for parts of Canada’s ag industry.
“There are over 150 loads of Canadian beef stuck at the Coutts border,” the Canadian Meat Council tweeted on Jan. 31. “Our members are going to have to slow down production if this keeps up. What is the government’s approach to fix this?”
At least three beef industry groups have voiced concern due to the demonstrations.
Alberta Beef Producers, the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association issued a statement on Feb. 3.
This protest is adding to the difficult times farmers are experiencing given the drought, feed shortages and rail transport issues.
“The beef industry is aware of the situation evolving at the Canada-U.S. border crossing. Our focus remains on the people who are affected by immediate delays to the beef supply chain and ensuring the welfare of animals,” Dr. Melanie Wowk, chair of Alberta Beef Producers, said in the statement. Further impacts to cattle prices must be avoided."
“The unintended consequences of these closures and delays further affect already existing shortages on products like animal feed that have been caused by drought, trade disruptions, and transport issues,” added Greg Schmidt of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association. “Transportation delays can severely impact the beef supply chain from cattle feed to grocery shelves.”
The federal minister of agriculture is monitoring the situation too.
It’s time for the blockades to end so ag products can continue flowing, Marie-Claude Bibeau said.
Obviously, from the agricultural perspective, blocking the border is very preoccupying because we have so many commodities going across the border,” she said, Okotoks Online reported. “It is extremely important for our supply chain and actually, this is why we have to let it go. We have, obviously, food going across, we have perishable food, we have living animals. So for all these, you know, we're following the situation very closely."
It appears Alberta’s provincial government is planning to lift COVID restrictions soon.
In a Feb. 4 video, Premier Jason Kenney announced his cabinet committee will approve a plan to remove restrictions this week.
Restrictions related to national borders are under federal jurisdiction.