Fact Sheet - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Accomplishments
Legislative and Regulatory Action
- In 2007, our government introduced the Enhanced Feed Ban, which prohibited specified risk material from all animal feeds, pet foods and fertilizers. In April of that year, $80 million was invested in specified risk material removal programs to eliminate BSE.
- November 2012: Passed Bill S-11, The Safe Foods for Canadians Act, which increased traceability requirements.
- April 2014: The federal government posted a 2012 review of the enhanced feed ban (EFB) to examine the enhancements to the feed ban regulations.
- Soon to pass Bill C-18, The Agricultural Growth Act, which enhances the Feeds Act and the Health of Animals Act, which outlines further regulatory tools for the CFIA these types of situations.
Government Investments
- Budget 2010: pledged $40 million over three years to support the development and commercialization of innovative technologies related to the removal and use of specified risk materials to reduce handling costs and create potential revenue sources.
- In March 2010, our Government allocated $40 million over three years to the Slaughter Waste Innovation Program to support the development and commercialization of innovative technologies related to the removal and use of specified risk materials to reduce handling costs and create potential revenue sources from these materials.
- April 2013: Introduction of the federal Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative which provides support of up to $20 M to build a vital link in the traceability chain that tracks Canadian livestock from the grocery store back to the original farm gate.
- Budget 2014: our government pledged over $205 million for continued BSE programming.
- July 2014: The federal government also recently invested $3.8 million through the Western Economic Diversification Program to support the establishment of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. This initiative will further build brand loyalty for Canadian beef with key emerging and international markets.
Support for Producers
- 2006 to present The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) received a federal contribution of $50 million over 10 years to establish its Legacy Fund to develop markets and genetics in a post BSE environment.
- Since its inception in 2007, the Business Risk Management (BRM) programs have provided livestock producers with close to $2.3 billion in support. That support continues under Growing Forward 2 (GF2).
- April 2013: Through the new AgriRisk Initiatives Program, our government continued to support and facilitate the efforts of livestock groups to develop better ways to manage their price and production risks.
- In April 2014, the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) was launched which provides western livestock producers an opportunity to purchase insurance against price declines. To date, over 6,000 policies have been sold.
Research
- April 2009 to Present: $8.5 million to the Canadian Cattlemen's Association to lead a National Beef Research Cluster. This research will maintain and improve competitiveness and support science-based policy, regulation and trade.
- April 2013: $14 million for a Beef Cluster led by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) to support research on beef quality and safety, animal health and welfare, feed production and utilization, and environmental sustainability.
- April 2013: Under GF2, the federal government is providing $14 million, through the AgriInnovation Program, to assist the industry mobilize scientific expertise to do research in key areas of beef quality, food safety, environmental sustainability, feed utilization and animal health/welfare.
Securing Markets
- January 2009: Established the Market Access Secretariat to coordinate government and industry efforts to open and expand markets and committed more resources to ensure its success.
- August 2010: Announced up to $3 million to support the beef industry by developing new marketing opportunities to help farmers and food processors boost their bottom line.
- September 2014: Signed the Canada – EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which will secure new market access opportunities for exports of fifty-thousand (50,000) tonnes of beef.
- Recent trade successes include resumption of access or improved access for Canadian beef and beef products to:
- South Korea in January 2012
- Taiwan in February 2014
- China in June 2011
- Colombia in April 2010
- Vietnam in August 2011
- The Philippines in January 2012
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