Canadian meat council outlines industry priorities as parliament resumes

KCJ Media Group Ltd.

As Parliament reconvened on May 26 under Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) outlined its key priorities for the federal government, emphasizing the red meat sector's significant role in Canada's economy, with over $9.4 billion in exports and nearly 200,000 jobs supported.

CMC's agenda includes five primary areas:

• Trade and Market Access: The council urges full access to Chinese markets for beef and pork, highlighting the industry's reliance on exports. To bolster this, the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office is set to open in Beijing. Additionally, CMC seeks resolution of trade disputes with the U.S. and EU and aims to expand access to Southeast Asian and Latin American markets.
• Labor and Immigration Reform: Addressing labor shortages, CMC advocates for a Federal Food Security Immigration Stream and a more responsive Temporary Foreign Worker Program tailored to the year-round needs of rural agri-food operations
  

   

• Regulatory Efficiency: The council recommends aligning feed ban rules with the U.S., streamlining Canadian Food Inspection Agency practices, and adopting digital tools like AI inspections and e-certification to enhance efficiency and boost exports.

• Animal Health Preparedness: In light of global biosecurity concerns, the council emphasizes the need for rapid deployment of support for diseases like foot-and-mouth and African swine fever, along with stronger investments in biosecurity and disease detection at borders.

• Supply Chain Stability: To ensure uninterrupted food supply during labor disruptions, CMC calls for a policy framework that balances trade and food security with workers' rights.

Chris White, CMC's president and CEO, stated, "Canada’s red meat sector is uniquely positioned to help the government achieve its economic and trade objectives."