Provincial Working Group on Traceability: Executive Brief

On July 14 and 15 an industry and producer led group convened to discuss traceability. This group was created by resolution at the Alberta Beef Producers March 2026 AGM. For context, proposed amendments to Part XV of the Health and Animals Regulations have been paused for cattle and bison by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to allow for further industry consultation through 2027.

The group participants included:

• 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

Alberta is investing in an industry led process which will clarify, inform, and build on existing protocol to enhance a best-in-class process. The working group agreed on a mandate to develop recommendations that will:

• Be effective and impactful in actually reducing the risk of disease spread
• Be practical, cost effective and not impede commerce
• Gain the confidence of customers while respecting producers’ profitability and privacy.

Over the course of this initial two-day meeting discussions covered how cattle move through different types of operations; what animal, premise and movement information is currently collected; where information is held; and where gaps, duplication or practical challenges may exist. The information gathered will be organized and validated to support the next sessions on August 13th and 14th in Calgary. At that point, the group will begin exploring potential solutions, policy implications, and practical implementation considerations.

The end goal of this process is to deliver a report and recommendations to the industry later in September.

For further information contact:

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