Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson and federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay announced an investment to support Alberta's beef industry on July 10.
According to the announcement, the governments of Alberta and Canada are providing Alberta Beef Producers with almost $1.9 million for its on-farm food safety program, Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+), through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
“Alberta Beef Producers is a valuable partner that is helping our producers maintain a culture of safe and sustainable beef production," said Sigurdson, MLA for Highwood. "By supporting the refresh of Verified Beef Production Plus, we’re recognizing our producers for the great work they are already doing and giving them the support they need to improve their operations.”
The VBP+ certification program provides in-person or online training, an on-farm third-party audit, and a certification that helps producers adhere to the highest standards of beef production.
Through the new incentive program, farmers and ranchers will have access to a maximum of $5,000 for approved expenses that help them bring their operation into alignment with VBP+ certification guidelines, making the process easier and cheaper.
Almost 400 Alberta farms are currently VBP+ certified, more than one million acres of native grassland in Alberta is managed by VBP+ certified operations, and one in five beef animals in Alberta has been raised on a VBP+ certified farm, according to a Government of Alberta press release.
“Beef producers right across Alberta care deeply about food safety, animal health and environmental stewardship," said MacAulay. "This vitally important funding will help them build on their already high standards and become even more sustainable, so they can keep providing top-quality, nutritious food to Canadians and folks around the world.”
The announcement, made in Calgary's Nutrien Western Event Centre, marks further support of beef as a key industry of the province. According to the Government of Alberta, beef was Alberta's largest agri-food export last year, at $3.9 billion, and made up 22 per cent of the province’s total.
“Alberta Beef Producers is excited to see government support for the beef industry’s dedication to food safety, environmental stewardship, animal care and biosecurity. This funding supports the hard work of producers across this province who continue to deliver the world's best Alberta beef,” said Brodie Haugan, chair of Alberta Beef Producers.
The investment is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, described by the Government of Alberta as a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
The nationwide investment includes $1 billion in federal programs and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially and territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
