CCA’s five policy committees will meet to discuss the current and upcoming advocacy files during the organization’s Semi-Annual meeting August 20-22, 2024.
Domestic Agriculture Policy & Regulations
Staffed by Jarred Cohen, Regulatory Affairs Manager at CCA and co-chaired by Jack Chaffe and Doug Roxburgh, the Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations (DAPR) committee has a broad focus on issues facing the beef cattle sector such as Business Risk Management, regulatory modernization and harmonization, and general economic competitiveness issues. This year the committee will be joined by Remi Villeneuve and Scott Surgenor of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as the department continues to explore the feasibility of Whole Farm Revenue Insurance in alignment with international obligations and BRM principles. The committee will also discuss topics such as business continuity in the context of Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) as well as regulatory modernization and harmonization. We will hear about the AgriStabilty pilot by AFSC in Alberta and the Maritime Livestock Price Insurance Pilot. This is sure to be an interesting meeting you won’t want to miss!
Environment
Staffed by Larry Thomas, Manager of Environment and Sustainability at CCA, along with Mitchell Zoratti, Environment and Climate Change Coordinator at CCA, and co-chaired by Mike Duguid and Lynn Grant, the Environment Committee meeting will offer valuable insights into critical environmental efforts including policy discussions, grassland conservation, soil health, and water management. A review of environmental and climate-related issues handled since the AGM in March will be provided. Karen Yakimishyn will update on the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands SARPAL Term Conservation Easements Project. Updates on the AAFC Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, the 5-year review and consultation on the Fisheries Act, and the Grassland Conservation Initiative will also be presented. John Wilmshurst from the Canadian Wildlife Federation will discuss the Grassland Awareness Coalition Campaign.
Foreign Trade
Staffed by Jennifer Babcock and Dennis Laycraft and co-chaired by Ryan Beierbach and Tyler Fulton, the Foreign Trade Committee meeting will interest those pursuing foreign markets and curious about the current activities of AAFC, NCBA, and the latest news on Bill C-282. Presenters include Matthew Smith, Chief Trade Negotiator for Agriculture (AAFC), and Jennifer Babcock, Senior Director of Government Affairs, who will provide a CAFTA report and Bill C-282 update. Michelle Cooper will present an overview of the AAFC Market Access Secretariat, while Kent Bacus will give a National Cattlemen’s Beef Association update. Eric Bienvenue, President of Canada Beef, will offer a report, and Claire Citeau from the Canadian Meat Council will discuss accessing market priorities.
Food Policy
CCA’s Food Policy committee focuses on enhancing the position of Canadian beef in domestic and international food markets. This includes consideration of topics such as labelling, food policy and alternative proteins. CCA works to ensure that Canadian regulations support beef consumption and that international perceptions of the beef industry appropriately represent its role in food systems. Committee discussion topics at this meeting include an update from Canada Beef, the development of a foreign object incident in meat reporting system, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Livestock Meeting and hearing from our counterparts in the U.S. with a U.S. food policy update from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. This meeting will be staffed by Jessica Radau, Policy, Programs and Engagement Manager at CCA, and co-chaired by Kirk Jackson and Craig McLaughlin.
Animal Health and Care
Staffed by Leigh Rosengren and co-chaired by Matt Bowman and Matthew Atkinson, the Animal Health & Care Committee meeting will address critical topics. The agenda includes an update on the Quantitative Risk Assessment, which explores harmonization of the BSE SRM list with U.S. requirements. The committee will discuss national and international initiatives to target antimicrobial resistance, including CCA's strategic response. The meeting will include an overview of a White Paper on Veterinary Drug Access, followed by a discussion on CCA's advocacy efforts. The meeting will also cover the value of biosecurity as a tool for business continuity.
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