Lobbying over beef
Ontario beef farmers host 10th annual Queen’s Park BBQ
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Ontario Corn-Fed Beef was on the menu at Queen’s Park on Monday as the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) held its 10th annual BBQ outside of the Ontario Legislature. The event started in 2003, to thank politicians for their support during the years of the BSE crisis. The event has grown over the years and today is considered by many to be one of the most popular events at Queen’s Park.
The OCA served over 600 attendees with Ontario Corn-Fed Beef tenderloin to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and their staff. All three party leaders Premier Kathleen Wynne, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath were in attendance.
Dan Darling, OCA President says the annual BBQ event provides an opportunity for Ontario beef farmers to discuss industry issues with MPPs. Some of the key issues that were raised included OCA emphasising the importance of Ontario’s Risk Management Insurance Program, the value of investing in beef research in the province and enhancing programs that would encourage young beef farmers to enter into the beef business or continue the family tradition.