Alberta beef representatives participate in virtual meetings with MPs

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) executive members and Canada Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) Alberta board members participated in virtual fly-ins with Conservative Members of Parliament during the month of June.

Over the course of 10 meetings, the producer representatives discussed issues ranging from the need to safeguard our food systems to Canada’s negligible risk status for BSE.

ABP in the mainstream: Voices on drought, beef production and the BBQ

Other topics covered included:

• Concerns with obstacles preventing Canada from reaching its full potential under the Canada-EU trade agreement, and a future Canada-UK free trade agreement. So far this year, the UK has exported double the value of beef to Canada as vice versa.
• Changes to our business risk management programs, with emphasis placed on the importance of all levels of government working together to enhance AgriStability. The Alberta representatives continued to press the need for further improvement to AgriStability, a livestock tax deferral provision, and an income stabilization program for cow calf producers. 
• The beef industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability and protection of vulnerable grasslands ecosystems. The beneficial role beef production plays relating to climate change should be prioritized in the carbon offset regulations. 

With spring provincial fly-ins with government officials coming to a close, CCA is looking forward to potentially hosting summer ranch tours, if COVID permits.

Last week was a successful week of meetings with both SK and AB parliamentarians. Pictured here with @ziad_aboultaif, our @albertabeef producers enjoyed discussing trade priorities that will benefit Alberta’s farmers and ranchers and the Canadian sector as a whole #teambeef pic.twitter.com/Ci5wqN7maJ

— Canadian Cattle Association (@CanCattle) June 7, 2021

CCA teamed up with @albertabeef in meeting with parliamentarians to discuss matters of importance to Alberta producers. We are thankful for the time provided by MPs and Senators, such as @tomkmiec pictured here. #teambeef pic.twitter.com/J2u0kYbIon

— Canadian Cattle Association (@CanCattle) June 4, 2021

We welcome opportunities to meet with @JohnBarlowMP, as a familiar face to agriculture the conversation is always productive. Thank you for meeting with us! #teambeef pic.twitter.com/DEepgmigAk

— Canadian Cattle Association (@CanCattle) June 3, 2021