Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) plans to use its upcoming district meetings, running from October 21 to November 5, to reopen discussions on establishing a livestock inspection service in the province. Manitoba is the only province in Canada without such a service, which has been a topic of debate in the cattle sector. MBP believes the service could help with cattle theft and fraud, especially in light of rising cattle prices. General Manager Carson Callum said the organization wants to gather feedback on this issue, particularly regarding its potential value for cattle traceability and theft prevention, even for those not using cattle branding, which is less common in Manitoba.
Manitoba is situated between regions with different inspection models: western provinces have formal services, while Ontario has a provincially run system. Callum noted this has made it challenging for producers to fully understand the service’s value. Cost is another concern, as other provinces fund inspection services through a checkoff system.
In addition to this discussion, the meetings will also address ongoing industry issues such as business risk management and predation. MBP will also engage with federal issues, particularly Bill C-282, which aims to protect supply-managed sectors from trade concessions.
Summary: MBP aims to revisit the idea of a livestock inspection service at its district meetings. The service could help combat cattle theft and fraud, but concerns remain about its cost and value. The meetings will also cover broader industry challenges, including risk management and federal trade legislation.
