By Alice McFarlane

Cattle groups call for the end of the blockade at Alberta/U.S. border

Feb 3, 2022 | 12:11 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — Canada’s beef industry is expressing concern with the prolonged disruptions at the Canada-U.S. border crossing.

In a joint statement, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA), and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) called for a timely resolution and the restoration of the supply chain.

The Canadian and American beef industries are closely tied and anytime there is a disruption in the movement of cattle, beef, or feed it affects the entire network.

CCA President Bob Lowe said the impacts are being felt.

“Maintaining a stable supply chain is critical to Canadian beef production. The evolving situation at the U.S.-Canada border and the transportation delays are resulting in major impacts for the entire beef supply chain,” Lowe said.

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ABP, ACFA, and CCA want to see the blockade resolved safely and effectively for truckers, RCMP, producers, and all involved.

Speaking during a news conference this morning, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said she agrees with peaceful protest but when you make your point then it should stop. She said it’s very worrying.

“From the agricultural perspective, blocking the border is very preoccupying because we have so many commodities going across the border, it is extremely important for our supply chain,” Bibeau said. “This is why we have to let it go. We have food going across, we have perishable food, we have living animals.”

The obstruction is also blocking the growing critical supplies of feed that are needed across western Canada, according to ACFA spokesperson Greg Schmidt.

“The unintended consequences of these closures and delays further affect already existing shortages on products like animal feed that have been caused by drought, trade disruptions, and transport issues,” Schmidt said. “Transportation delays can severely impact the beef supply chain from cattle feed to grocery shelves.”

ABP, ACFA, and CCA continue to monitor developments and work with the federal and provincial governments, and other stakeholders to keep all components of the beef supply chain functioning.

In 2020, food and agriculture were deemed an essential service to continue moving supply chains during the pandemic.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW