Canada announces investment in six beef projects

The Canadian Government has announced its investment in six projects that will support the country’s beef industry.

The government will invest C$8.3m ($6.3m) in projects, helping organisations such as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canada Beef to develop and strengthen international market opportunities.

Canada Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the investment at the Calgary Stampede.

Bibeau said: “Our government is proud to be working with industry to ensure Canada’s beef sector remains a strong driver of our nation’s prosperity and continues creating good jobs for our middle class.

“This investment will help grow markets, increase public trust in beef products, and harness the full power of the Canada beef brand here and around the world.”

The investment is expected to help Canadian beef producers to become more competitive, as well as offer them tools to remain sustainable and innovative.

Of the total funding, C$5.3m ($4m) will be allocated to Canada Beef in order increase beef sales in key international markets by expanding programmes with retail partners and improving foreign consumer confidence in Canadian beef.

An investment of C$1.7m ($1.3m) will be offered to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association in order to provide producers with new tools to build public trust in their product around the world.

Additionally, the funding is expected to help the Canadian beef sector to further benefit from the trade agreement that the government has advanced with Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America.

Canada Beef president Michael Young said: “Canada Beef is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership programme to fund and deliver important international Canadian beef market development programmes that will help ensure the continued growth and success of the Canadian beef industry.”