The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Dan Darling and David Haywood-Farmer, who were elected by acclimation as President and Vice President, respectively, on March 12, 2016 at the CCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ottawa, ON.
Darling moves to President after serving a two year term as Vice President, a position to which he was acclaimed to on March 7, 2014 at the CCA AGM. He replaces Dave Solverson, who moves to the position of Past-President. In his time as President, Solverson achieved the successful conclusion of several key trade files, most significantly the repeal of U.S. mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). The successful repeal of this legislation marked the end of a seven year trade war. COOL was a long and arduous battle, and a costly one with legal fees nearing $4 million. However, that amount – paid by beef producers through their provincial check-off – is eclipsed by the cost of COOL discrimination inflicted on Canadian and Mexican producers. Solverson was also active in negotiations surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the successful implementation of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
Darling, who farms in Ontario, brings a fresh perspective to the CCA. He intends to keep up the focus on trade, with top trade priorities including achieving a bilateral trade agreement with Japan, access for beef from animals over 30 months of age with Mexico, and resolution of the longstanding technical barriers that have prevented the European Union from approving Canada’s main packing plants to export to the EU.
As traceability is important to expanding trade, he would like to see movement towards having the industry-supported Cattle Implementation Plan accepted as the business plan that best reflects the realities of cattle production.
“The CCA is well-respected and has earned its reputation as an organization of influence because of the good work they do,” Darling said. “I am truly honoured to take on the role of CCA President and will continue to focus on achieving excellence in all files and to represent the best interests of beef producers across Canada.”
Haywood-Farmer’s family has been ranching in Savona, B.C. for almost 100 years. As a third generation rancher, he has learned from his father and grandfather the dedication it takes to raise healthy robust cattle on some of the most dry grasslands in the province. A former President of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, environment continues to be a key priority for him as he moves into his new role with CCA. He sits on the Foreign Trade committee and chairs the Domestic Agriculture committee.
Darling resides in the heart of apple country, in the Township of Cramahe of Northumberland County where he and his brother Van operate a cow-calf operation with 250 cows and background calves on 1,500 acres. He is a past-president of Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) and represents Ontario beef farmers provincially on the BFO Cow-Calf and Government Relations Committees.
Source: Cattel