Today’s announcement by Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters of up to $30 million in financial assistance to Ontario’s beef industry will help to keep Ontario farmers competitive with their counterparts in other provinces.
Ron Wooddisse, President of the 21,000 member Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), was in attendance at today’s announcement in Guelph. In commenting on the funding, Wooddisse said, “We’re glad that the Ontario government has agreed to join the federal government in providing their full 40% share of funding to help our struggling industry.
The Ontario funds will go to support the two set-aside programs announced by the federal government – one for market ready cattle and one for younger cattle. Matching the supply of cattle to the available capacity is a key component of the national plan. These set aside programs will give producers the option of retaining their animals for the short term– and selling them when prices may be stronger. This should hopefully enhance financial returns to producers.
Wooddisse explained that members of his association have worked hard to remind the Ontario government that it is crucial that the Ontario government match programs introduced by other provinces – particularly Alberta. Today’s announcement will do this. Immediately after the September 10 announcement by the federal government of $488 million in assistance to the Canadian beef industry, the Alberta government announced $230 in provincial funds as its contribution to the program. Behind Alberta, Ontario is the second largest producer of beef in the country.
OCA’s Board of Directors has been in discussion with Minister Peters and his staff, since September 10, on provincial participation in a 60/40 cost-share arrangement similar to the one that was announced in the west. Application forms are already available to Alberta beef producers and Wooddisse hopes that with today’s funding announcement, program details and application forms will soon be available in Ontario. Said Wooddisse, “It’s crucial that producers know details of the program so they can make informed marketing decisions this fall.”
All components of the federal program are designed to enhance profitability for the Canadian beef industry with or without a border opening and should hopefully enhance financial returns to producers.
Prior to BSE, beef was Ontario’s second largest commodity in terms of annual farm gate receipts with a value of approximately $1.2 billion. Beef exports from Ontario to the U.S.A., in 2002 (the last normal year of trade) were valued at $354 million in live cattle and an additional $292 million in beef product.
~Dave Stewart~
OCA Acting Executive Director
~Ron Wooddisse~
OCA President