Canadian Cattlemen’s Association requests set-aside to protect supply chain
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has called for a ‘set aside’ programme to be implemented help the country’s ranchers deal with bottlenecks in the supply chain.
A number of meatpackers have closed facilities in the US and Canada after workers tested positive for Covid-19, including the Cargill processing facility in Alberta, which represent a third of Canadian capacity.
Set aside, which was brought in to help farmers deal with BSE in 2004, means cattle will be fed a maintenance diet rather than a high-protein diet.
It would mean farmers can keep them longer while they wait for bottlenecks to clear.
Bob Lowe, president of the CCA, said: “We learned many lessons during the hard years of BSE, and it is time to implement the policies that previously helped us weather the storm.
“We also must look at and support all actions that can assist in our current situation. This could include increases in processing capacity at provincial packing plants and holding back cows so that we can focus slaughter on fed cattle - everything is on the table.”
He added that CCA is working with industry stakeholders and government to continue to supply beef and keep markets moving.
