Government of Canada Investing in the Future of Canadian Beef

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, attended the Calgary Stampede where she announced an investment of $8.3 million for six projects that will help support Canada’s world-class beef industry

These investments will help producers become more competitive and provide them with the tools they need to remain sustainable and innovative.

“Our Government is proud to be working with industry to ensure Canada’s beef sector remains a strong driver of our nation’s prosperity and continues creating good jobs for our middle class,” Bibeau said. “This investment will help grow markets, increase public trust in beef products, and harness the full power of the Canada beef brand here and around the world.”

“The support from the CAP will provide the CAA with the ability to conduct new research on a number of economically important traits relating to improving the efficiencies and productivity of the Canadian beef breeder”

 

“By diversifying Canadian trade and encouraging innovation in the beef industry, we continue to promote Canada as world leaders in cattle production and to create new opportunities for the agriculture industry to grow the economy,” added Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification.

“Canada Beef is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program to fund and deliver important international Canadian beef market development programs that will help ensure the continued growth and success of the Canadian beef industry,” Michael Young, President, Canada Beef said. “Canada Beef shares the Government’s vision for significant growth in agricultural exports over the next five years. International markets add over $600 per head in additional value to the beef animal and helps the beef industry to be a significant driver for economic growth.”

Through these projects, organizations such as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canada Beef will develop and strengthen international market opportunities for their high quality products, bolster Canada’s global beef brand, and ensure the highest standards in animal welfare and sustainability are maintained.

“I’m incredibly proud to be from a region of Canada so well known for its high quality beef products,” Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, stated. “With an export value of $2.75 billion, the beef industry is a key driver of the agricultural economy here and across the country.”

The largest portion of this investment, $5.3 million, is going towards Canada Beef to grow beef sales in important international markets, by expanding programs with retail partners and increase foreign consumer confidence in Canadian beef. This funding will help the Canadian beef sector further capitalize on the trade agreement the Government of Canada has advanced with Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and North America.

“The support from the CAP will provide the CAA with the ability to conduct new research on a number of economically important traits relating to improving the efficiencies and productivity of the Canadian beef breeder,” Myles Immerkar, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Angus Association agreed. “Currently the tools to measure, select and improve these economically critical traits are not available to the beef breeder and the development of these tools and the improvement in these traits will continue to impact the functionality of the Canadian cowherd.”

This also includes an investment of $1.7 million to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to offer producers new tools to build public trust in their product around the world. This funding will help all producers take full advantage of the Verified Beef Production Plus Program.

Source: AAFC