Canadian politicians weigh in on #dontlabelmybeef

Support for ground beef to be exempt from Health Canada’s front-of-package labelling proposal is growing, with political parties of all kinds stepping up to the podium.

On June 13, Jason Copping, Alberta Minister of Health; and Nate Horner, Alberta Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Economic Development joined industry leaders from Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA) and Alberta Pork to request an exemption for ground beef and pork.

“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.”

“Ground beef and pork are whole foods, rich in nutrients and still relatively affordable despite global increases in food prices,” said Minister Copping. “It’s inconsistent with the treatment of other products; it’s not good policy, and it should be reversed.”

Ministers @NateHornerAB and @JasonCoppingAB hosted a press conference today with counterparts from the livestock industry. Watch it here: https://t.co/uY2280oQT5 @CattleFeedersAB @albertapork #dontlabelmybeef pic.twitter.com/FPENKSvJWX

— Alberta Beef (@albertabeef) June 13, 2022

Watch the Press Conference | Read the Joint Statement | Read our Summary

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On June 15, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba NDP Caucuses shared a joint letter to Ministers Jean-Yves Duclos and Marie-Claude Bibeau, indicating their opposition to front-of-package labelling of ground beef and ground pork.

“We are of the unanimous view that your government should press pause, and institute an exemption for ground beef and pork products from your front-of-package labelling regulation,” it read.

“The decision to compel front-of-package labelling for ground beef and pork is not final. You have the power to listen, and change direction.”

Agriculture Critics from the Alberta NDP (@heathersweetab) Saskatchewan NDP and Manitoba NDP wrote a joint letter to the Federal Government demanding an exemption for ground beef and pork products from new front-of-package labelling regulations.#dontlabelmybeef #ableg #yyc #yeg pic.twitter.com/t9NR3L774y

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) June 16, 2022

Read the Letter

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On June 16, Members of Parliament Richard Lehoux and Yves Perron joined cattle producers in Quebec to urge Health Canada to reconsider its warning label on ground beef.

“With the price of groceries up 10 per cent year-over-year and high inflation compounding production costs for Canadian farmers, now is not the time to add onerous red tape to our agri-food supply chains,” said MP Lehoux.

“There is no logic in labeling a single-ingredient natural product,” said Perron. “Let’s be consistent and not impose additional and unnecessary constraints on our producers.”  

Quebec and Canadian cattle producers share their concerns about Health Canada's proposal to place a warning label on ground beef. Watch live here: https://t.co/tkQPlHpBjs

— Cdn Cattlemen's Assn (@CdnCattlemen) June 16, 2022

Watch the News Conference | Read the Press Release

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Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is urging people to sign up against Health Canada’s proposal for ground beef.

Sign up at dontlabelmybeef.ca.