When Canadian beef producers sell cattle, they contribute to the national beef check-off. That investment supports work that benefits the broader Canadian beef industry, including market development, consumer demand, public and stakeholder engagement, and research.
When beef or beef cattle are imported into Canada, an import levy is also collected. While the structure is not identical in every detail, the principle behind it is straightforward: beef marketed in Canada should help contribute to the programs that support beef demand in Canada.
The national check-off paid by producers and the import levy paid on eligible imports are two parts of a broader investment approach. Together, they help ensure that both domestic beef production and imported beef products are connected to the market development work that strengthens beef’s position with Canadian consumers.
For producers, the domestic cattle check-off is collected at the point of sale and includes both national and provincial portions, depending on the province. The national portion is assigned to the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency and invested according to national priorities. Provincial portions are directed by provincial cattle associations and used to support priorities in their own regions.
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