|
|
|
Province provides cash for cattle programs |
|
|
|
Written by Citizen staff
|
|
Friday, 16 May 2008 |
The provincial government will provide $3.3 million to the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association to improve the standing of B.C. beef in the international market, Minister of Agriculture Pat Bell announced Friday.
The money will pay for an age verification program and a verified beef production program.
The age verification program will be for calves intended for export to the U.S. and Japanese markets. Ranchers will be eligible for direct payments through the BCCA for each calf verified.
The verified beef program will ensure best practices on the farm, said Bell.
"Many of the marketplaces are looking for verified beef as a signature product that adds extra value," he said.
"There are some costs associated with entering that program and those costs can be offset against the grant that will be available through the B.C. Cattlemen."
The announcements follow on completion of the B.C. agriculture plan and the beef industry strategy, which Bell said have identified the need for market development in the beef industry.
BCCA president Ed Salle welcomed the news.
“One program assists ranchers with verifying the animal’s age and helps open the door to critical beef markets in Asia," he said. "The other program helps ensure food safety and upholds consumer confidence in the products and good practices of our beef producers.”
An additional $300,000 is being provided to the BCCA to again deliver the farmland riparian interface stewardship program to protect and enhance water quality and riparian vegetation, and prevent and mitigate agricultural impacts on streams and lakes.
 |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 16 May 2008 )
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed