Issues & Insights

As we head into 2026, trade is front and centre for ABP, and for good reason. More than half of the beef produced in Canada is exported, and Alberta alone represents nearly half of the national cattle herd. For decades, trade between Canada and the United States has been more than just selling beef across…

As we move into 2026, it’s clear there will be interesting conversations ahead for Alberta beef producers. At the beginning of December, we saw the start of an influx of feedback surrounding traceability regulations and the now paused proposed changes. Our initial response was to host a meeting with the Alberta Beef Producers board of…

Proposed federal amendments to Canada’s traceability regulations have generated significant reaction across the industry. For many producers, concerns focus on whether the proposed changes are necessary and whether they would work in practice at the farm and ranch level. Others are raising questions about cost, complexity, and the potential for government overreach. At the same…

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is hosting a dedicated traceability session to give Alberta cattle producers additional time and space to share their perspectives.   As ABP’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) follows a formal governance agenda, with strict time limits for input, ABP has scheduled this Producer Town Hall on Traceability to ensure there is dedicated time for open discussion preceding the AGM.  This session builds on discussions already taking place across the…

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is recommending that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) halt the finalization of the upcoming federal traceability regulation changes to allow for additional, meaningful consultation with producers. While public consultation occurred in 2023, ABP believes further review is necessary to ensure traceability can be effectively and consistently implemented at the farm…

After years of planning and preparation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expecting to publish the final version of proposed amendments to Part XV of the Health of Animals Act in 2026.  To help clarify what’s coming and what it means for you, we’ve compiled a few answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we’re hearing.  Will I have to change when I tag cattle?   There is no required…

A robust and effective traceability system finds a balance in technical reporting and practicality.  Traceability is the ability to follow the movement of an animal or food product through different stages of the supply chain. The ability to track livestock through their lifecycle relies on three pillars: premise identification (PID), animal identification, and animal movement….