ALDOBA

 

Posted By Shawn Cabak, Farm Report

Portage Daily Graphic - Canada

Feb 14, 2009

 

Alberta cattle producers show commitment to age verification

 

More than 83 per cent of the 2008 calf crop in Alberta has been age verified. This is a significant achievement under the Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy, which was announced in June 2008, and represents about 1.5 million calves.

 

Age verification is one initiative outlined in the strategy, which is designed to help the livestock and meat industry become more competitive and profitable by better responding to market demands. Key markets, including many Asian countries, now insist animals be age verified. Federal Agriculture Minister Ritz was recently able to secure an agreement, in principle, for the sale of Canadian beef to Hong Kong. The agreement is a staged approach that will open markets to age-verified animals.

 

All livestock producers completing premise identification who age verified their 2008 calf crop by Dec. 31, received an initial payment and will receive their second payment in early March. The payments are part of a $300-million Alberta Farm Recovery Plan II Program.

 

Agriculture ministers focus on economy

 

Federal, provincial and territorial agriculutre ministers met in Ottawa to discuss issues that are critical to a competitive, innovative and profitable agricultural sector. The ongoing economic difficulties facing the livestock sector, including the responsiveness of existing and future programs, was discussed.

 

Governments committed to ongoing collaboration to strengthen food safety, so consumers and trading partners can continue to have confidence in Canadian food products. A national agriculture and food traceability system for emergency management and market access purposes, with priority on livestock and poultry, will be implemented.

 

Ministers recognized the need to focus on new opportunities in pursuit of commercially-significant market access and to increase Canadian agricultural and agri-food exports. They agreed to continue to work with industry to assess and address the impacts of U.S. country-of-origin labelling requirements.

 

On Growing Forward programs, the ministers reiterated their commitment to complete bilateral agreements and get new programs up and running in all provinces and territories by April 1. New Growing Forward programs will be more flexible and responsive to local needs and support a strong, competitive and innovative sector that contributes to society’s priorities and proactively manages risk. A review of the existing demand-driven suite of business risk management (BRM) programs is important to ensure BRM programming is responsive to Canadian farmers in helping them to manage risks.

 

2007 AgriInvest won’t require matching contributions

 

Canadian farmers will soon start receiving government contributions under AgriInvest without any requirement to make matching producer deposits for the first year. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are waiving the deposit requirement as a transition measure for 2007 AgriInvest.

 

In March, producers can expect to receive information by direct mail on the 2007 government contribution to their AgriInvest account with information on their options. Producers have the option to either leave the funds on account or make a withdrawal. To withdraw funds, producers can complete and send in the form included with their notice or call toll free at 1-866-367-8506. The final deadline for producers to apply for 2007 AgriInvest was Dec. 31.

 

Beginning with the 2008 program year, farmers who make deposits to their AgriInvest accounts will receive matching government contributions. Most producers will receive information by direct mail on how to apply for the 2008 program. The deadline to apply without penalty is Sept. 30, and the final deadline with penalty is Dec. 31. Visit the program website at www.agr.gc.ca/agriinvest.

 

For more information, contact Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives' Portage la Prairie office at 239-3353.

 

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