ABP AGM Resolutions Overview

The following resolutions were brought forward and voted upon at the 2022 ABP Producer Meetings held throughout January and February. Delegates met in-person for the Annual General Meeting in March, where they heard from members of the ABP executive and staff, and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). 

In support of ABP’s move to strengthen our producer outreach and engagement, delegates passed a motion to make regulation changes that will improve our ability to collect contact information.

Delegates elected six new directors to the ABP board, seven CCA board members, including two non-delegate positions, and one BCRC representative. At the board meeting subsequent to the AGM, directors re-elected Dr. Melanie Wowk as Chair, Jason Hale as Vice Chair, and Brodie Haugan as Finance Chair.

Re-capping ABP’s 2022 Annual General Meeting

Outcomes for the resolutions that were debated and voted upon by at the AGM are listed below. Some resolutions from the Producer Meetings have yet to be discussed and will be voted on at the board level. 

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Alberta Beef Producers 2021-2022 Resolutions

Northeast

Be it resolved ABP lobby the government to see that ranchers get a more equitable portion of revenue through all sectors.

Defeated.

Northeast

Be it resolved RFID tracking scans are used to manage incoming cattle at sales, scanning information should correspond to sale weight and pricing.

Defeated.

Northeast

Be it resolved ABP will work towards tax incentives for beef producers to invest in sustainable technology.

Defeated.

Northeast

Be it resolved ABP request CCA to investigate the opportunity to use CCIA reserve funds and/or tag revenue to fund the FMD vaccine bank and/or a voluntary cease movement fund.

Carried.

Securing adequate funding for FMD vaccine bank is in progress through efforts led by CCA and Animal Health Canada.

Northeast

Whereas: ABP is a member of CCA, and CCA works with ABP on important files for the profitability and sustainability of our industry.

Be it resolved ABP continue to fund CCA at the full assessment reflecting Alberta’s percentage of the Canadian Industry.

Defeated.

Northeast

Whereas: There is a lengthy process involved with our system, requiring ABP to lobby the government before any action is taken. There should be a faster system, similar to that of the USA, where the system is automatically triggered and aid is given in a much more timely fashion. Additional leasing, subleasing, forestry grazing and more should be included as part of this plan.

Be it resolved ABP lobby the Government of Alberta to develop an emergency or disaster compensation plan that is automatically triggered when counties declare an agricultural emergency (or state of agriculture emergency or disaster).

Carried.

ABP is constantly working with AFSC and others to improve the BRM suite. This will be directed to the Issues Management Committee for consideration.

Northeast

Be it resolved Alberta Beef Producers support mechanisms where producers can financially or otherwise benefit from their management of grasslands and ecosystems.

Carried.

This is an ongoing focus and a policy statement has gone to the board for approval. ABP will continue to support mechanisms that make sense for producers.

Southwest

Whereas: Canada has achieved negligible risk status for BSE, and some of the regulatory burden associated with BSE may no longer serve a meaningful purpose for risk management. This may include SRM regulations in Canada that other negligible risk countries do not have in place. Other examples include livestock owners’ need for an SRM Transporter Permit to transport dead animals, or removal of deadstock tags by the rendering company, etc.

“Be it resolved ABP encourage the removal of all SRM regulations that no longer serve meaningful risk management purposes.”

Carried.

This is in progress with work being led by CCA.

Southwest

Whereas: Problematic and dangerous bears create issues in rural communities. The Alberta government currently allows landowners to deal with cougars without charges being laid, and the bear sitatuion should be handled in the same manner.

“Be it resolved ABP lobby the Alberta government to provide livestock producers and landowners with damage permits, allowing them to kill a problem grizzly bear. This permit would be issued to producers who have a confirmed livestock kill, constant property damage (e.g. silage bags, grain bins, buildings), or personal safety in yard.”

Carried.

Ongoing and will be directed to the Issues Management Committee. ABP supports the efforts of Waterton Biosphere.

Southwest

Whereas: Federally inspected hook space is limited and often cost prohibitive for regional packers, making them unavailable to service niche markets. Interprovincial trade regulations prevent regional packers from reaching urban customers in neighboring jurisdictions. 

“Be it resolved ABP work with other provincial beef organizations to identify and lobby for the removal of all barriers to interprovincial trade between the four (4) western provinces, so beef can trade freely between jurisdictions.”

Carried.

ABP needs further information on where provinces differ and align. Will re-assess once competitiveness study results are released. 

Southeast

Whereas: ABP and CCA are experiencing serious funding challenges in Alberta. The concept of a one-time, non-refundable check-off has long been discussed in relation to the Alberta Beef Check-off.

“Be it resolved ABP establish a plan to be funded by a one–time, non-refundable check-off payable at slaughter and export.”

Defeated.

Southeast

Whereas: Meat products destined for the United States are getting inspected at federal processing facilities and then re-inspected when crossing the border.

“Be it resolved ABP lobby provincial and federal governments, along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), to allow export inspection for product shipped to the U.S. to take place at the federally inspected processing facilities, eliminating the need for re-inspection at border crossings.”

Carried.

This is a major objective of the Canadian Meat Council and ABP supports their efforts.

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This article was first published in Volume 2 Issue 2 of ABP Magazine (April 2022). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.