Provincial Working Group on Traceability: Executive Brief #2

On August 13 and 14th an industry and producer led group re-convened in Calgary to discuss traceability. This was a continuation of the process which began with meetings July 14-15th of this year. The Working Group had been created by resolution at the Alberta Beef Producers March 2026 AGM.

To be clear, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stated on June 2nd that they will not be proceeding with proposed movement reporting amendments to Part XV of the Health and Animals Regulations for cattle and bison. The CFIA will be moving forward with some of the proposed changes to the Regulations, but only those changes that are supported by industry.

The CFIA will continue to engage with industry but any future amendments involving movement reporting requirements would have to be considered through a brand-new Canada Gazette process that would push this matter several years down the road. Hence the Working Group has spent its time discussing voluntary enhancements that Alberta producers, industry
organizations and third-party administrators could make that would further mitigate risks to the industry through greater grassroots participation.

The Group supported the following mandate for it’s work:

• Progress the cattle industry by evolving traceability
• To be effective and impactful (actually reduces risk of disease spread and compliance is accepted)
• Is practical & reflects reality (cost effective so has industry support and compliance with minimal slippage, does not impede commerce)
• Gains confidence of markets (customers), and respects producers’ profitability and privacy

The Working Group consisted of a diverse cross section of industry participants including:

• Dr. Peter Lawson, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
• Steven Malowany, Traceability Program Officer, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
• Jennifer Hannesson, Pork technology Transfer Specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
• Edward Harrison, Senior Policy Specialist-Livestock Specialist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Shawn McLean, Executive Director, Alberta Livestock Inspection Services
• Doug Roxburgh, Chair, Alberta Beef Producers
• Brad Dubeau, General Manager, Alberta Beef Producers
• Aydon Almberg, Director, Alberta Beef Producers
• Brad Mappin, Director, Alberta Beef Producers
• Dorothy Thengs, Director, Alberta Beef Producers *unable to attend initial sessions for personal reasons
• Kirk Wildman, Delegate, Alberta Beef Producers
• Dyanna Marquardt, Delegate, Alberta Beef Producers
• Matt Bowman, Director, Canadian Cattle Association
• Lyle Adams, Director, Alberta Cattle Feeders Association
• Jason Wilson, Vice-Chair, Western Stock Growers Association
• Patrick Cassidy, President, Alberta Auction Marts Association
• Jason Smith, Alberta Producer
• Cecilie Fleming, Alberta Producer
• Anne Burgess, Alberta Producer
• Jody Scheirlinck, Alberta Producer

Facilitators: Norm Dreger / Mark Olson, Ag Advisory Council, Osborne Interim Management

Key Findings of the Working Group

• A better understanding and awareness of current regulations and realities
• Recognition that the current system is inadequate for foreign animal disease (i.e. FMD) response
• Gaps include movement reporting
• Filling of gaps must be industry led not government mandated; accomplished through volunteer participation; require the use of and improvement of existing tools and systems

The Group agreed on issuing the following recommendation to the Board of the Alberta Beef Producers:

A detailed and final report will be composed by the facilitators and presented back to the Working Group for review in early September. Should the ABP Board approve taking the Group findings to the provincial delegates, there was an expressed intent to begin work on the recommended enhancements in January 2027.

For further information contact:

• ABP General Manager Brad Dubeau: bradd@albertabeef.org
• ABP Chair Doug Roxburgh: doug.roxburgh@bullseyefeeds.ca