CFA Welcomes Temporary Foreign Worker Announcement

Mar 23, 2020

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says it's extremely pleased to hear that the existing COVID-19 travel restrictions will still allow essential agri-food temporary foreign workers to enter Canada in time for the impending planting season through to harvest.

"Farmers are pleased to see the government respond so promptly to the looming shortage of agri-food workers and we are committed to working with all the appropriate agencies and departments to ensure their entry maintains strict public health protocols to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Top of mind for Canadian farmers is ensuring the safety and health of all Canadians. The next top priority is ensuring a constant food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic for all Canadians" said CFA President, Mary Robinson.

"We are still reviewing the details and will be in close contact with all relevant departments and industry stakeholders over the coming days to ensure these workers arrive safely and on time, while responsibly adhering to all public health requirements. We commend the government's quick reaction, ensuring the continued resilience of the Canadian food supply during these difficult times", added Robinson.

There are still many details to be worked through, but the CFA says it looks forward to working with public health officials and other key stakeholders to address the logistical challenges associated with this effort and ensure all necessary measures are taken.

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Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.