$8.3 million in funding announced
July 11, 2019
Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, visited the UFA Cattle Trail at the Calgary Stampede on July 10 to announce an investment of $8.3 million for six projects to help support Canada’s world-class beef industry.
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.
“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,” says Bibeau. “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 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.
“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,” says President of Canada Beef Michael Young. “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.”
The announcement also included 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.
Other investments include almost $800,000 to help the Canadian Beef Breeds Council grow markets for our world-class beef genetics, over $250,000 to help the National Cattle Feeders Association ensure public trust in animal welfare practices on our beef operations and over $230,000 to help the Canadian Aberdeen Angus Association to improve animal welfare through genetics.
