Alberta government supports exemption to front-of-package labelling for ground beef

The Government of Alberta is supporting efforts to exempt ground beef and ground pork from front-of-package labelling being proposed by Health Canada.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Nate Horner and Minister of Health Jason Copping held a press conference in Calgary to express their concerns over the current proposal.

Here’s what’s up with ground beef labelling in Canada

“Alberta livestock producer associations have requested an exemption from proposed federal labelling requirements for ground meats, similar to exemptions being offered for other nutritious, single-ingredient foods like milk, eggs, vegetables and other meats,” said Minister Horner. “Alberta’s government supports this exemption.”

“A healthy diet emphasizing whole foods is part of the foundation of overall health. Ground beef and pork are whole foods, rich in nutrients and still relatively affordable despite global increases in food prices,” said Minister of Health Jason Copping. “It’s inconsistent with the treatment of other products; it’s not good policy, and it should be reversed.”

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Watch the Government of Alberta’s press conference with Minister Nate Horner, Minister Jason Copping, ABP’s Melanie Wowk, ACFA’s Keith Gregory, and Alberta Pork’s Martin Waldner.

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In addition to the Ministers, livestock industry spokespersons Dr. Melanie Wowk, Chair of Alberta Beef Producers (ABP); Keith Gregory, Vice Chair of Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA), and Martin Waldner, Treasurer of Alberta Pork shared their thoughts on behalf of the beef and pork industries.

“Alberta farmers and ranchers are struggling right now, and the federal government should be championing our industry in the middle of a global food shortage, not working against it,” said Dr. Melanie Wowk, ABP Chair.

Alberta’s beef industry calls for labelling exemption on ground beef

“Between the rising cost of electricity, fuel, natural gas, and fertilizer, and a severe drought that has added water scarcity and increased costs in animal feed, many producers have been forced to downsize their herds and sell their cattle.”

ABP and ACFA are joining beef producers across the country to ask for support by sending a message to Health Canada.

Go to dontlabelmybeef.ca to sign up and show support Canadian beef producers.