4 April 2007

2 minute read

North America

"I'm pleased to serve as president of the CCA for another year. Our industry is facing new challenges, such as the rapidly emerging bioenergy sector, and it is important that we address these issues and determine our best course of action," says Lynch-Staunton. "We have been undertaking many new initiatives to better move our industry into the future, including completing a review of the CCA's structure and operations and enhancements to the CCA policy-making process. This review, including the creation of a national leaders forum, was approved at the annual meeting. Continued funding for enhanced U.S. advocacy efforts to achieve normalization of live cattle and beef trade and to deal with country of origin labeling issues was also approved, as was a $21.5 million global marketing plan for 2007-08 to assist with marketing Canadian cattle and beef around the world.

Other issues that have emerged, especially since BSE, include traceability and age verification, and resolutions were passed to ensure that the cattle industry traceability system development is industry-led and that the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency infrastructure is utilized and that no duplication or fragmentation takes place.

The CCA will also be working to communicate the work the industry and producers are doing for the environment and the animals in their care in the coming months.

"This was a very positive meeting and it showed the commitment of our producers, through their elected representatives, to the industry and the growth of the industry. We all know we have to work together to ensure our interests are met and to work cooperatively with other organizations, such as the provincial, territorial and federal governments," states Lynch-Staunton. "It was my pleasure to thank the federal government at the reception on Parliament Hill for the work it has done, such as removing bluetongue restriction requirements and to ask it to continue to push towards resuming full trade with the United States."

The CCA's annual meeting in Ottawa brings together directors from all provincial member associations to determine policy for the industry and allows them the opportunity to meet and discuss industry issues with Members of Parliament at a reception held on Parliament Hill. The CCA is composed of several committees that analyze current issues and how they could impact the industry and to develop policy on these issues. Committee resolutions are then brought before the full board for approval.

CCA is the National Voice for the Beef Cattle Industry, representing over 90,000 Cattle Producers

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