March 25, 2020

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Sent via email: [email protected]

The Honourable Minister of Health Sent via email: [email protected]

The Honourable Minister of Finance Sent via email: [email protected]

RE: Importance of FPT coordination to maintain business continuity within Canada’s beef sector during and following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dear Ministers,

Beef production in Canada is a critical agricultural sector in all provinces across Canada. Within Canada there are 60,000 beef farms that produce 3.4 billion lbs of beef each year. Canadian beef nourishes our families here at home and around globe as 45% of beef produced in Canada is exported to over 60 markets. The Canadian beef industry contributes $9 billion in farm cash receipts and $17 billion to Canadian Gross Domestic Product while generating 228,000 jobs. During these uncharted times the Canadian beef industry is working non-stop to ensure the continuation of food supply and to be a beacon of economic stability within Canada. We have listed our high priority issues and recommendations below that will support business continuity.

First and foremost, we would like to thank you, your colleagues and your officials for taking immediate, significant and decisive actions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. We appreciate your leadership in prioritizing Canadians’ health while providing support to ensure our country’s economic resilience. We specifically recognize the priority and support given to Canada’s agricultural sector to ensure that producers have the resources they need to provide for their families, and all Canadians during this critical time.

Beef production is a complex value chain starting with breeding and genetics development, cow-calf ranching, auction markets, cattle feeding, beef processing, beef retailing, food service, and export. There are also many supporting services to agriculture and food production including but not limited to feed supply, technology support, mechanical support, veterinary services and much more. All aspects of this supply chain must maintain business continuity during and following the COVID-19 outbreak.

We appreciate and recognize the efforts already taken to maintain business continuity including; maintaining international trade corridors, expanding CFIA’s inspection capacity and establishing plans to support the continuation of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada.

In a previous letter dated March 20, 2020 to the Federal Ministers of Agriculture and Finance we outlined recommendations that would support economic stability within the beef sector including adjustments to the Business Risk Management programs. We will not repeat these asks here however, to re-iterate, the importance of financial stability within the agriculture sector has never been greater.

Further efforts to maintain business continuity are required. The agri-food supply chain is undoubtedly an essential service/critical infrastructure. It is being deemed as such within Canadian provinces and territories as well as around the world as regions enact further actions to control COVID-19 by shutting down non-essential services.

While there is no doubt that the agri-food supply chain is an essential/critical service this needs to be clearly communicated, interpreted and implemented in a timely manner to avoid supply chain interruptions and maintain market stability.

We encourage the following further actions across all jurisdictions;

• Early recognition and communication that the agriculture and food supply chains are essential services, including the array of businesses and workers that support agri-food production. • Work towards cross-provincial consistency in deemed essential services across all Canadian provinces and territories to avoid confusion and market disruptions. • Ensure all agri-food manufacturing and processing facilities are able to operate at full capacity – and if necessary – beyond full capacity; recognizing this may require additional inspectors or accredited veterinarians, and/or inspectors incurring overtime to meet this interim consumer-driven demand. • Clear, timely and consistent commitment and communication, at all levels, that agri- food trade and services will not be interrupted over provincial borders, the Canada-US border, or through other international ports. • Clear, timely and consistent development and communication of health and safety protocols required by the agri-food sector and equally as important, those protocols that are not required. • Establishment of rapid response contact points so that issues can be reported and addressed when identified. • Establishment of a process to ensure agriculture businesses are able to report anticipated supply shortages (inputs to their businesses) they foresee and processes to prioritize their attainment of these integral supplies. • Continued contact with industry organizations

As many of the provinces and territories move to putting a hold on non-essential businesses and possible border controls it will be imperative that there is constant communication and collaboration between provinces and territories and the federal government to ensure agri- food production and trade is not interrupted over provincial borders. Federal-provincial- territorial coordination and communication is key to market and supply chain stability.

The CCA stands ready to continue collaboration with government to support continued stability within the food system and work towards high-impact solutions for Canada’s economy. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Fawn Jackson, Senior Manager Government and International Relations, at [email protected].

Yours sincerely,

Bob Lowe, President Larry Garrett, President Canadian Cattlemen’s Association British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association

Kelly Smith-Fraser, Chair Michael Daigle, Chair Alberta Beef Producers National Cattle Feeders Association

Roger Peters, President Arnold Balicki, Chair Canadian Beef Breeds Council Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association

Dianne Riding, President Donald Bettle, Chair Manitoba Beef Producers New Brunswick Cattle Producers

Rob Lipsett, President Larry Weatherby, Chair Beef Farmers of Ontario Nova Scotia Cattle Producers

Kevin Simmons, Chair Claude Viel, Chair Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec

CC: Rt. Hon. , Prime Minister of Canada Hon. , Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Hon. , Minister of Public Safety Hon. , Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, British Columbia Hon. Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Hon. David Marit, Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Hon. Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Manitoba Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Hon. André Lamontagne, Ministère de l’Agriculture, Quebec Hon. Ross Wetmore, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, New Brunswick Hon. Keith Colwell, Minister of Agriculture, Nova Scotia Hon. Bloyce Thompson, Minister of Agriculture and Land, Prince Edward Island John Barlow, MP, Conservative Agriculture Critic Yves Perron, MP, Bloc Quebecois Agriculture Critic Alistair MacGregor, MP, NDP Agriculture Critic Chris Forbes, Deputy Minister, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dr. Siddika Mithani, President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency