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By Dori Modney with files from Alberta Beef Producers

Beef industry representatives meet Federal officials to pursue issues

Jan 31, 2020 | 3:39 PM

CALGARY — It’s a crucial opportunity for a specific group of agri-food representatives to meet face-to-face with federal government bureaucrats and press industry issues.

About twice a year, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) participate in what’s termed Federal Government fly-in meetings. ABP Executive Director Rich Smith, says the latest took place on Tuesday.

“We sent four ABP Directors to Ottawa, where they break into two teams and spend a day with the Canadian Cattleman’s association staff members, meeting MP’s and senior government officials on Parliament Hill. It’s an opportunity for Alberta producers to enforce the messages that the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association staff are giving to the federal politicians.”

Smith explained a major item on the agenda, was pushing everybody their people met with to pursue a rapid ratification of the Canada-US-Mexico agreement – the NAFTA 2 agreement.

“The United States and Mexico have ratified it already and we need to get it done here, so that we’re part of it. It’s a very good agreement for the cattle and beef industry in all three countries and we’ll be encouraging th MP’s to not play power on this, but actually get the agreement ratified for the good of the country.”

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There were a number of other topics open for discussion with federal politicians and their staff.

“Our people talked about the western livestock price insurance program – currently listed as a pilot program – and we’d like to see it made permanent and expanded beyond western Canada. We continue to have trouble with access to labour, so we’re excited about the new agri-food immigration pilot and, of course, we always need work on export market access and reduction of technical trade barriers.”