Canadian Cattle Association Report

This report was submitted by Tyler Fulton, Canadian Cattle Association President, for Alberta Beef Producers.

Over the last year, the Canadian beef industry welcomed renewed market access to Australia and China. Australia was one of the last countries to maintain 2003 bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) restrictions, complete their risk assessment and re-open their market. China halted exports of Canadian beef in December 2021 due to an atypical case of BSE. Canadian beef producers appreciate these renewed market opportunities and support the government’s efforts to open, defend and expand markets for Canadian beef.

Canada also secured expanded market access for Canadian meat products to Indonesia. A cooperative effort between the Canadian beef industry and national ministers of trade and agriculture secured comprehensive tariff-free access for Canadian beef and addressed challenges for the Canadian beef sector. Full market access includes addressing non-tariff barriers so Canadian beef producers can have meaningful access to the world’s fourth-largest population country.

CCA launched an aggressive April campaign to raise awareness of trade negotiations that could sharply increase Mercosur beef imports. Mercosur is a South American trade bloc made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Higher Mercosur imports would undermine Canadian cattle production and herd rebuilding without lowering beef prices. CCA supports reciprocal, rules-based trade diversification, but the data shows little export opportunity for Canadian beef while imports from Mercosur countries continue to rise.

Trade is always an area of focus for CCA, but it is not the only priority. In January, CCA announced former Beef Cattle Research Council Executive Director Andrea Brocklebank as CEO to replace retiring Executive Vice President Dennis Laycraft. Andrea’s first challenge has been leading CCA through a restructuring process driven by provincial member organizations.

Last summer, Alberta Beef Producers formally announced intention to withdraw its membership from the Canadian Cattle Association, effective July 1, 2026. An interim participation agreement between CCA and ABP was announced in June following motions passed in principle at CCA’s AGM. The bylaw changes were subsequently approved at CCA’s semi-annual meeting in August. At the time of this submission, ABP is working through the process of reviewing its membership in CCA.

Another area of intense focus follows a swift and vehement public backlash that arose in January in reaction to pending changes to Part XV (Traceability) of the Health of Animals Regulations. New regulations were scheduled for spring publication but were instead paused by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). CCA supported provincial cattle associations in consulting producers to understand their positions and concerns about traceability in general and ultimately asking for removal of most changes that would impact beef cattle producers. CCA added a full day to the AGM to discuss the findings. In June, CCA, the National Cattle Feeders’ Association and Canadian Beef Breeds Council announced the establishment of a Traceability Task Force that arose from the session.

The task force’s mandate is to first define the outcomes a traceability system must meet to protect industry and serve producers. Subsequently the task force is mandated to propose a clear, practical traceability framework for beef cattle that meets those outcomes, considering if outcomes are best achieved through regulatory requirements, an industry led approach, or a combination of both. The task force’s ultimate outcome is to recommend a clear industry policy position on traceability that will provide a clear, complete plan for industry and government, explaining the purpose, scope and success factors, along with an industry led implementation road map. Check-in points with provincial cattle associations are part of the process.

Producers were also invited to participate in the public comment period for the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle this spring. The “Beef Code” was released in 2013 and is subject to regular review. We thank all producers who participated. A thorough review of feedback and necessary adjustments are underway. The revised code is expected in early 2027.

Another project that will continue throughout 2027 is emergency preparedness. Under the guidance of Animal Health Canada, representatives of the Canadian beef industry including CCA, Alberta Beef Producers, National Cattle Feeders Association, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada participated in a series of emergency preparedness drills. The goal is to prepare the Canadian beef industry to respond effectively in the event of an animal health emergency by identifying gaps in process, confusion over organization roles, and assuring that organizations establish relationships to help the industry work together quickly and effectively in a crisis.

ABP and CCA have a longstanding collaborative and cooperative relationship, and we have remained committed to working together to benefit beef producers in Alberta and across our country throughout CCA’s restructuring process. The new bylaws reshape how CCA works with provincial members while providing greater clarity around governance and representation. A key objective is to strengthen engagement with provincial associations and grassroots producers. These changes combined with strong consumer demand, profitable cattle prices, and signs of herd rebuilding continue to create confidence in our industry.