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Cattlemen Thankful for Support but
Help Still Needed During Cost-Price Squeeze
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Holds Barbecue at
Queen’s Park to Thank MPPs for Support
June 4, 2008 (Guelph, ON) – Yesterday the Board of
Directors of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA)
was pleased to host a barbecue on the South Lawn of the
Main Legislative building at Queen’s Park in Toronto. It
is estimated that between 500 and 600 people, including
MPPs, their staff, and the Queen’s Park Press Gallery
turned out to enjoy smoked Ontario Corn-Fed Beef
tenderloin. The day also provided an opportunity for the
OCA Board to meet with MPPs from all parties.
For Ontario beef producers, 2007 was a year that many
would rather forget. A combination of factors, including
newly-implemented processing regulations, a rising
Canadian dollar, lack of access to key markets and high
input costs are currently forcing many producers to
question their future in the beef industry. In 2008, the
beef industry continues to face a number of challenges
which place producers at a competitive disadvantage.
“We have enjoyed a great relationship with The
Honourable Leona Dombrowsky and the Liberal government,”
says Gord Hardy, OCA President. “Yesterday gave us a
chance to thank the Minister for her assistance and to
seek continued support. The OCA Board remains committed
to working toward a better beef industry in Ontario.”
OCA’s priorities over the next few months will be
focused on profitability and reminding Ontario consumers
to eat and ask for local and Ontario product. As well,
cattlemen will be lobbying and working with government
to improve and create effective programs that will help
move the industry forward. To do that, OCA is involved
in the following initiatives: an Ontario beef strategy
to complement the government’s Buy Ontario campaign;
support of Ontario Corn-Fed Beef; a market development
partnership program, an industry development fund; the
Verified Beef Production-Quality Starts Here on-farm
food safety program; an age verification program; an
abattoir expansion program; management benchmarking; a
young farmer strategy; the Ontario Beef Breeder Loan
Co-op Program; the Ontario Feeder Cattle Co-op Program;
and producer and consumer education.
Culinary activist, Anita Stewart, joined the OCA
Board during the barbecue to offer her support in
promoting beef as part of a healthy diet. Stewart has
been holding up a mirror to Canada and its people for
over two decades, and she has published several books to
promote Canadian cuisine. Her latest book is entitled
Delicious: Anita Stewart's Canada ~ The Food, The
Recipes, The Stories. This pan-Canadian odyssey traces
the history of our major ingredients while peeking into
dozens of multi-ethnic home kitchens.
“There is no doubt in my mind that we are probably in
one of the most difficult times in our lives,” says
Hardy in conclusion. “I know it is not going to be easy
moving forward but the worst is behind us. Through
events like this, where we bring public focus to our
situation, and with continued government support, I know
that we can bring profitability back to our industry.”
The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association is a grassroots
organization, formed in 1963, that represents the
interests of Ontario’s 19,000 cattle producers.
For More Information Contact:
Gord Hardy, OCA President: (519) 227-1113
Lianne Appleby, OCA Communications Manager: (519)
767-8634 |
