CDN Government gives $50,000,000 to C-CALF.

[SASH]

AAC: Minister Mitchell Announces $50 Million for Aggressive Marketing Campaign for Canadian Beef




OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Mar 10, 2005 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell today announced a $50 million contribution to the Canadian Cattlemen Association's Legacy Fund to help launch an aggressive marketing campaign to reclaim and expand markets for Canadian beef.

The fund will support the market development activities of the Canada Beef Export Federation, the Beef Information Centre and the Canadian Beef Breeds Council.

"The uncertainty created by the closure of many borders, including that of the United States to Canadian live cattle, makes it imperative that we accelerate our efforts to regain and expand our markets," said Minister Mitchell. "Through the Legacy Fund, the industry and governments will work together to launch an aggressive marketing campaign to increase exports and reduce our reliance on any one single market."

The contribution responds to a request by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) for governments to jointly support a 10-year market development fund, the Legacy Fund.

The marketing campaign is expected to generate more demand for the increased slaughter capacity that is being developed through Canada's Repositioning the Livestock Industry Strategy, announced on Sept. 10, 2004. The Strategy is helping ensure the viability of the sector by increasing domestic slaughter capacity, by providing financial support to the sector as that capacity comes on line and by increasing effort to access international markets.

Another priority for the Government is increasing slaughter capacity in Canada. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will be the first of what is expected to be a number of lenders to deliver one of the strategy's key programs, the Ruminant Loan Loss Reserve Program. With additional funding of $17.1 million announced for the program in the recent federal budget, a total of $54.6 million is available in the reserve to support loans for building and expanding small and medium-sized ruminant slaughter and processing facilities that will increase Canada's slaughter capacity.

At their March 3 meeting in Ottawa, federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture vowed to continue their efforts to normalize trade between Canada and the United States, and to increase access to other international markets. They also agreed to maintain the current set-aside programs under the Repositioning Strategy and to monitor the situation so that measures continue to respond to industry needs.

"We will continue to make every effort to get the American border re-opened for live ruminants but we are also stepping up our efforts to reposition our industry so that it can thrive whether that particular border is opened or closed," said Minister Mitchell. "Continuing to meet the needs of producers through this difficult period is a key priority for the Government. Our best position is a united one and we will continue to work with industry and governments on next steps."

The Government of Canada remains committed to the expansion of foreign markets while supporting the domestic marketing initiatives of all producers.

[Maple Leaf Angus]

This is the best news to date out of this whole issue. It is exactly the type of initative and action necessary in an increasingly protectionist market.


BTW, I buy locally grown apples.... that tri-colour flag doesn't help much around here...........

[Sandhusker]

I wonder if they will promote Canadian beef in particular or just beef in general......

[Bull Burger]

[rkaiser]

Actually it's American mutinational beef sourced from Canadian cattle. Increased packer capacity in Canada so far has been mostly mutinational. May be good news for exports, but I wish we had a bit more Canadian investment in packing plants to go along with it.

Do you think Ted Haney will have a new private Jet SASH?

[Sandhusker]

[SASH]

[Les]

Randy maybe you can remember, how much did ralf kline give to find new markets? Was it 32 mil?

[TimH]

"Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell today announced a $50 million contribution to the Canadian Cattlemen Association's Legacy Fund to help launch an aggressive marketing campaign to reclaim and expand markets for Canadian beef. "


I gotta wonder if the Liberal Govt. is planning on funneling that $50 million advertising dollars through Liberal friendly advertising agencies.... Naw!!! I'm probably just paranoid. It's not like they've ever done anything like THAT before.......

[JD6320]

I gotta wonder if the Liberal Govt. is planning on funneling that $50 million advertising dollars through Liberal friendly advertising agencies.... Naw!!! I'm probably just paranoid. It's not like they've ever done anything like THAT before

well if they are from Quebec there might only be a few million dollars left to do any advertising with!!!

[Oldtimer]

[Bill]