With the promise of a new year around the corner, it’s important to take stock of the past year. Our sector demonstrated its unwavering perseverance as we worked to overcome more adversity with the devastating droughts and wildfires, as well as managing the uncertainty created by the pandemic. However, there were also pivotal moments of success and momentum throughout the year for Canadian cattle production worth noting.
May 2021 brought the end of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) era in Canada with the World Organisation for Animal Health recognizing Canada as negligible risk for BSE. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) worked closely with the Canadian government to see the negligible risk application come to fruition. This change in risk status will help facilitate expanded access to foreign markets for various beef products currently limited by BSE-era restrictions. CCA will now focus on removing remaining BSE-era market access restrictions, as well as aligning packing house requirements with international recommendations. The additional requirements placed on Canada’s processing sector because of BSE created a significant economic disadvantage in comparison with others in the international marketplace.
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This year’s summer came with its fair share of challenges for producers across the country, ranging from drought to wildfires. We still don’t have a complete picture of the drought’s impacts, as further obstacles and stress are expected for beef producers and ranchers in the West and parts of Ontario moving into 2022.
We are thankful for the quick rollout of AgriRecovery programs from both the federal and provincial governments, which provide support for winter feeding costs, improving access to water and wildfire impacts. As further drought-related issues are identified, CCA will continue to work alongside our provincial partners to communicate these impacts and advocate for potential solutions to the federal and provincial governments.
I’ve said it many times over the last 20 months — cattle producers are resilient — and this situation is no different. Creative solutions have been developed to secure feed using alternative feed sources, such as poor grain crops salvaged for livestock feed, where available. As we look to the winter months, we are hoping for better weather conditions to help replenish water sources and subsoil moisture.
The ripple effect of drought and wildfires has fueled further discussions about the environment and climate change. It is critical that CCA and cattle producers are a part of discussions taking place on the link between cattle production and the environment — we have a positive story to share, and we need to take advantage of every opportunity to tell it.
Through the Environmental Sustainability Award (TESA), our industry celebrates cattle producers’ efforts to protect and preserve the environment. TESA celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. We aim to showcase real stories of Canadian cattle producers, so Canadians can get a glimpse into the care and commitment producers take raising cattle while protecting and preserving the environment.
Congratulations to this year’s recipient — the Manning Family Farm — from Falmouth, Nova Scotia, who are leaders in their community and the beef sector at large with their outreach efforts to the general public and their open-door policy to educate consumers wanting to know more about how beef cattle are raised in harmony with the environment.
CCA also participated in the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) at the end of September and co-led with Nature Conservancy of Canada a series of pre-summit dialogues. We worked to build positive conversations about Canada’s red meat industry. I’m proud to say CCA’s leadership paid off and ensured our sustainability efforts were recognized on a global scale! Canadian livestock producers were recognized on the world stage for their sustainability efforts by the Canadian government at the UNFSS.
Building on the momentum at the UNFSS, CCA’s Fawn Jackson participated in a session at the United Nations Climate Change Conference U.K. 2021 (COP26) with other industry leaders from around the world. Jackson focused on farmers’ climate ambitions and highlighted how sustainable beef production in Canada is an important part of the solution. The goal of our involvement in these international discussions is to help shift the global narrative surrounding the livestock industry in a more positive direction.
In early November, CCA was invited to participate in the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers’ meeting outlining the priorities of the next policy framework that’s set to replace the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) ending in March 2023. Throughout the meeting, a large emphasis was placed on the environment and climate change. I took part in a roundtable discussion with ministers and sector representatives on the role of agriculture in tackling climate change and environmental protection. In addition, I addressed the ministers on the important role our sector plays in securing environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection, as well as highlighted the need for further investments and incentives for cattle producers. Following the meeting, the ministers released the “Guelph Statement,” which aligns with CCA’s priorities for the next policy framework. We will build off this momentum and continue to advocate our priorities to the federal government over the coming months.
Looking to the future, I’m optimistic that our industry can be a significant contributor to Canada’s post-pandemic recovery. We have accomplished much this past year — much more than what could be included in this update. I am looking forward to what 2022 brings and continuing to advance our priorities with our new federal government. Wishing you and your family happiness and health this Christmas season.
