Canada’s national cattle producer organization now includes representation from Quebec’s provincial cattle producer organization.
Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec (PBQ) has officially become a member of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), announced PBQ chair Claude Viel, alongside the CCA’s Dan Darling and John Masswohl, at the provincial group’s annual general assembly in Quebec City last week.
“We are pleased to welcome Quebec Cattle Producers and look forward to their working alongside all our provincial association members in our efforts to represent Canada’s beef industry,” says CCA chair David Haywood-Farmer.
The PBQ, which says it has 15,600 farmer members, is working on a plan to increase cattle production in Quebec by 50 percent by 2025. The organization notes Quebec is responsible for around 4 percent of national beef production, and about 80 percent of the veal produced in Canada.
PBQ says joining the CCA will enable its producers to sit on national working committees, and “have access to more information and documentation on a variety of issues like foreign trade agreements, carbon footprints, farming impact on greenhouse gasses, animal welfare, sustainable beef, and so on.”
“At a time when new frontiers are continually opening up and our buyers have new requirements, this new membership is a reflection of our desire to grow, and to enhance our ability to face new industry challenges,” says Viel.
The CCA has eight other provincial member organizations: B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, Manitoba Beef Producers, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, New Brunswick Cattle Producers, and Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers.