By Chris Brown

Agriculture

Alberta producers want ground beef exempted from labelling requirements

Jun 14, 2022 | 2:33 PM

Livestock producer associations are requesting ground beef to be exempted from proposed federal labelling requirements and have the support of the Alberta government.

Health Canada’s proposed front-of-package regulations would require ground beef sold at retail to carry a “high in” saturated fat warning label. This would set it apart from other single-ingredient foods, such as meat, milk, eggs, vegetables, and fruit.

“Alberta farmers and ranchers are struggling right now, and the federal government should be championing our industry in the middle of a global food shortage, not working against it,” says Dr. Melanie Wowk, ABP chair, in a news release. “Between the rising cost of electricity, fuel, natural gas, and fertilizer, and a severe drought that has added water scarcity and increased costs in animal feed, many producers have been forced to downsize their herds and sell their cattle.”

Nate Horner, the provincial minister of agriculture, forestry, and rural economic development, says the federal government’s labelling proposal is scientifically baseless and will unfairly affect families struggling with high costs of living and would be an extra kick to producers already working to get back on their feet.

“Every Canadian should take pride in the fact that Alberta’s livestock producers drive economic growth by feeding the world with high-quality meat. Imposing these warning labels sends a negative message to customers and makes our producers less competitive in the global economy,” he said in a statement.

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Health Minister Jason Copping said the decision was made without consultation with the provinces, and called it inconsistent with the treatment of other products and that it should be reversed.