Late last month, Canada became the fifth country to ratify the CPTPP. Australia then ratified shortly thereafter, triggering the 60-day countdown to this international trade deal moving to implementation. CPTPP has huge potential for Canada’s beef industry, says John Masswohl, director of government and international relations for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “The clouds have parted and we… Read More
Canada’s national cattle producer organization now includes representation from Quebec’s provincial cattle producer organization. Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec (PBQ) has officially become a member of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), announced PBQ chair Claude Viel, alongside the CCA’s Dan Darling and John Masswohl, at the provincial group’s annual general assembly in Quebec City… Read More
There a great number of trade files open in Canada, with officials focused on Japan and Asia Pacific with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); the ongoing negotiations surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); and the European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), just to name a few. “I… Read More
Trade and market access are always major topics at cattle industry meetings, but with the renegotiation of NAFTA becoming reality, there was a little extra emphasis on the politics of trade this week at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary. If there were any questions about how unified cattle producer groups from Canada, the… Read More
With an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 cattle left behind in areas evacuated due to wildfires in B.C.’s central and southern interior, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says it has asked the federal government for a quick response to help affected ranchers. “As an initial start, the CCA is requesting the federal government provide a tax deferral… Read More
As the Trump administration formally starts the process of re-opening the North American Free Trade Agreement, agriculture industry groups continue to remind the governments involved about the benefits of the existing deal. It’s a message that will be repeated often during the 90-day countdown to when renegotiations could begin, after U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer… Read More
President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to spend part of his first day in the Oval Office issuing a notification of intent to withdraw the U.S. from the “potential disaster” that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump has spoken in favour of bilateral deals, and possibly got a jump on one with Japan by meeting Prime… Read More
This past week it was reported by the Globe and Mail and others that CNN had uncovered a very secret internal memo from the Donald Trump transition team. The memo disclosed that a suggested tactic in the NAFTA renegotiation would be to reinstate Country of Origin Labelling (COOL). Don’t Miss: Shaun on RFD-TV this week… Read More
China has loosened its restrictions on imports of Canadian beef, coinciding with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Ottawa this week. The premier announced Wednesday that China will begin accepting bone-in beef from Canadian cattle under 30 months of age — effective immediately — for the first time since BSE was found in Canada in… Read More
Update: Health Canada formally announced its proposal to approve irradiation of fresh and frozen ground beef on June 17th. A 75-day consultation period with Canadians will end on September 1, 2016. The proposed regulatory changes are published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for June 18, 2016. 18 years after formally asking the Canadian government for… Read More
A cow-calf producer from apple country in southeastern Ontario is the new president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Dan Darling and David Haywood-Farmer of BC were elected by acclamation as president and vice president, respectively, at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s annual general meeting in Ottawa this past weekend. Darling, who served as vice president for… Read More
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay visited the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s annual meeting in Ottawa yesterday to announce $4 million in federal funds for three beef projects. According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the three initiatives include: $2,601,500 million from the AgriMarketing Assurance Stream toward the development of tools to enable end-users (packers, retail food service), consumers… Read More
The Ontario Corn Fed Beef program is receiving national recognition. The program, which is managed by the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association, received the 2016 Beef Industry Innovation and Sustainability Award at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s annual meeting in Ottawa on Thursday. “Ontario Corn Fed Beef is a success story that could serve as a blueprint… Read More
Update: A decision from the WTO on Canada’s COOL retaliation plan is expected on December 7. The Canadian government is making its case to the World Trade Organization this week on why should be allowed to impose C$3.1 billion per year in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports in the dispute over country of origin labeling (COOL)…. Read More
A ranching family from southern British Columbia has been chosen as the 2015 recipient of the “The Environmental Stewardship Award” from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Darrell and Doris Squair, along with their son Travis and daughter-in-law Katie, operate Squaw Valley Ranch near Lumby. They received the TESA recognition at the CCA’s Semi-Annual Meeting in Winnipeg on Wednesday…. Read More