My Speeches

Members Statement - Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy

Posted on Oct 20, 2008

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Battle River-Wainwright.

Livestock and Meat Strategy

Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As many of my fellow
members are aware, the Alberta livestock industry has been going
through some challenging times in recent years. Persistent labour
shortages, restricted access to foreign markets, and skyrocketing
input costs are only a few of the challenges that have left Alberta’s
livestock industry in a state of crisis. Today the livestock industry
is at a crossroads. As citizens of this great province we have the
ability to refocus our efforts to achieve a profitable and competitive
livestock industry.
The government of Alberta has proposed a new plan to capture
new opportunities for our meat and livestock industries. On June 5
the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development announced
the Alberta livestock and meat strategy. The strategy is a framework
that enables industry to create and extract maximum value from the
competitive environment while leaving production, processing, and
marketing in the hands of the industry.
To assist in stabilizing the industry during its first phase of
transformation, an immediate $150 million was made available to
producers. In January 2009 an additional $150 million will be
provided to producers to assist in creating an information network
that will include age verification and premises identification data.
At the heart of the strategy is the Alberta Livestock and Meat
Agency. Modelled after similar successful organizations in other
countries, the agency will work with all of industry to align or
redirect government funds, resources, and programs to revitalize the
livestock sector and to act as a catalyst to help enhance industry
competitiveness and profitability.
This government and the livestock and meat industry will
maintain a close partnership throughout this transformation process.
Together we can help improve and enhance an industry that is so
vital to this province. Last year alone this industry generated more
than $3 billion in sales and provided employment for more than
30,000 Albertans.
Alberta’s livestock and meat industry has a bright future. With
our combined efforts Alberta will be able to regain its competitive
advantage, compete globally, and ensure a sustainable and profitable
industry for the future.