Urgent Call for Cargill Labour Dispute Resolution

Jun 26, 2024

Impact on Canadian Beef Sector

Canada’s beef sector, represented by the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA), and Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), is urging for a quick resolution to the ongoing labour dispute at the Cargill Dunlop facility in Guelph.

The dispute, which began on May 27, 2024, is significantly impacting beef producers in eastern Canada.

The Canadian beef industry relies on a robust and stable supply chain to efficiently deliver beef to Canadians and global customers. Nathan Phinney, President of CCA, emphasizes the importance of a swift resolution to the stalemate, which is affecting the beef industry.

The processing facility in Guelph is crucial for eastern Canadian beef producers. It supports several regional brands and programs. However, there has been no indication of upcoming talks or negotiations to end the strike.

Craig McLaughlin, BFO President, highlights the challenges arising from the loss of eastern Canada’s largest beef processor. Ontario, being the second-largest cattle feeding province in the country, is feeling the mounting consequences of the labour strike.

Ontario beef farmers are mitigating the impact of supply chain challenges by sourcing alternative facilities in Canada and the U.S. to process their cattle or keeping animals on the farm for a longer period.

Both options present unique challenges and additional costs. As the strike enters its fifth week, concerns about the sustainability of these efforts and their effects on the industry are growing.

Will Lowe, NCFA Board Chair, urges both parties to negotiate a swift resolution. Cargill Guelph, which processes about 75 per cent of cattle in Ontario, plays a significant role in the Ontario beef supply chain.

The disruption is difficult for beef producers who are already facing multiple other challenges. The Cargill Guelph Dunlop facility fills 67 per cent of the federally inspected processing capacity in eastern Canada. The Canadian beef sector is calling for an immediate resolution to this dispute.

Video: U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan | Made by Producers for Producers

Join Jill Brokaw, a third-generation pig farmer and staff member of the National Pork Board, as she dives into the vital role of the US Swine Health Improvement Plan, also known as US SHIP. The program establishes a national playbook of standards for monitoring African swine fever and classical swine fever.

Why Should Pork Producers Care? If a disease breaks out, officials will establish a control area to help contain the disease. This plan is designed to mitigate risk and demonstrate freedom of disease at the site level. The goal is to support business continuity outside of the control area in case of an outbreak.

How Will the Pork Industry Use US SHIP? US SHIP uses already existing programs to support the standards for biosecurity, traceability and disease surveillance.

Biosecurity: This plan uses your completed Secure Pork Supply plan to demonstrate compliance with the biosecurity program standards and shows your ability to reduce the risk of disease introduction.

Traceability: AgView can be used to demonstrate compliance with the traceability standards and the ability to electronically provide State and Federal agencies the traceability information they need to determine where disease is and isn’t.

Disease Surveillance: The Certified Swine Sampler Collector Program helps expand the number of people certified to take samples. In the event of a large-scale foreign animal disease outbreak, we will need a trained group of sample collectors to help animal health officials find where the disease is present. This is to help you demonstrate freedom of disease and support the permitted movement of animals.

Getting Started with US SHIP:

1. Enroll in U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan

2. Share 30 days of movement data

3. Have a completed Secure Pork Supply Plan

4. Become U.S. SHIP certified

5. Maintain communication with your state

Takeaway: U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan helps safeguard animal health. Together, we're creating a sustainable future for pork production in the United States and taking steps to strengthen the business of U.S. pork producers everywhere