Government relations and policy update

It’s been a busy fall across the province, and like many of you, we’ve been taking things day by day. While we’ve managed to push forward several strategic initiatives, we’ve also had to dive into the weeds as new issues popped up, such is the nature of working on behalf of producers at ABP.

One of our top priorities this fall has been the ongoing gopher situation. ABP submitted a letter supporting Minister Sigurdson’s request to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for emergency use registration of 2 per cent liquid strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrels. In several parts of Alberta, the infestations have become severe. Our position has stayed the same: strychnine shouldn’t be taken off the table without an alternative that works just as well. The replacement products simply haven’t delivered consistent results, leaving producers frustrated, and at a certain point, shooting gophers is neither practical nor effective. This has been a steady push all summer, and we’re thankful to Minister Sigurdson and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation for being strong allies on this file.

We’ve also been working closely with the province on On-Farm Slaughter Operations (OFSO). This is a complicated issue with a lot of history behind it. When OFSO was introduced during COVID, ABP applauded the move because it provided producers with a practical, local option at a time when other market pathways were shutting down. OFSO approvals let a producer sell the live animal and then handle the butchering afterward, not to be confused with mobile butchers, who operate under inspection and allow the meat to be sold directly.

ABP continues to support OFSO because, for many producers — especially those without easy access to inspected facilities — it’s an important tool. It also gives producers flexibility in emergencies when salvaging the meat matters. That said, ABP believes there must be reasonable limits to protect the integrity of Alberta’s food safety system. Producers have worked for generations to build Alberta’s reputation for safe, high-quality beef. On-farm slaughter must remain practical, science-based, and grounded in real-world production conditions. Our goal is to maintain a regulatory environment that supports food safety and animal welfare while giving producers the flexibility they need to meet growing demand for locally sourced beef.

This fall also brought a significant win for the industry. ABP has long pushed for meaningful reform to business risk management programs, with AgriStability at the top of the list. The program protects producers against swings in both input costs, like during drought, and revenue disruptions such as border issues. The new federal budget includes a 2025 AgriStability cap increase from $3 million to $6 million, along with the permanent addition of eligible pasture costs. This is welcome news. Historically, AgriStability has been difficult for cow-calf producers to trigger. Including pasture costs makes the program far more relevant to our sector and may reduce the need for repeated AgriRecovery responses in drought years. We’re fortunate to have had strong support from Minister Sigurdson, AFSC, and Deputy Minister Jason Hale in helping move this across the finish line.

ABP also met with USDA officials this fall to discuss several key issues for our industry, including trade and animal disease preparedness. When it comes to disease readiness, expectations on Canada are high, and rightly so. Our ability to quickly contain and manage any outbreak is crucial to maintaining market access. This remains a priority for us.

Looking ahead, water availability will be front and centre. The provincial government has proposed amendments to the Water Act that are expected to pass this fall.

Many of the proposed changes are positive for beef producers: First-in-time, First-in-right (FITFIR) remains intact, and no provincial water fees were introduced. However, some elements raise concern, including mandatory water-use reporting and broad public disclosure of water-use information, similar to land titles. What was noticeably absent was meaningful recognition of groundwater and stock water, resources that are already stretched thin in many parts of Alberta. ABP will continue working with the province to ensure reliable and sustainable access to stock water for producers.

As we head into fall and winter producer meetings, I want to encourage producers to engage with the resolutions process. If there’s an issue you want ABP to tackle, or a position you think we should take, bring it forward. Resolutions give us clear direction from the grassroots and help us understand what producers are seeing and feeling on the ground. Even when a resolution doesn’t ultimately pass, it still provides valuable insight. At the end of the day, your voice drives the work we do.

This was first published in Volume 5 Issue 4 of ABP Magazine (Winter 2025). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.