Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association
Media Release
For Immediate Release
November 26, 2014
Canadian Western Agribition, hosted a round table meeting yesterday focussed on improving dialogue between Canadian and American beef producers.
Producers from Colorado, Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska met with their Canadian counterparts through this program organized by the Canadian Consulates in Minneapolis and Denver and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA).
Discussion topics focussed on the integration of meat and livestock industries, sustainability and innovation, intergenerational succession planning and key trade issues such as U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) and regulatory cooperation.
“The North American cattle industry operates as an integrated market and by working together on shared issued and eliminating trade barriers such as COOL both our countries can benefit greatly,” said SSGA President Doug Gillespie.
Dar Geiss, President of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, stated “the importance of trade lies solely on the ranchers and farmers who make this their way of life. The alliance of both countries promoting and protecting our industry gives us a greater message to consumers”.
The meeting allowed for candid face-to-face engagement on issues and opportunities of mutual interest for the sector. More often than not, the challenges being faced by the sectors on each sides of the border are quite similar. The roundtable allows participants to exchange ideas on shaping the sector for future success and bilateral cooperation.
SSGA is a province-wide member driven advocacy organization representing independent self-reliant cattle producers’ interests for 101 years. The SSGA advocates through education, communication, and research for an economically and environmentally sustainable cattle industry where cattlemen are free to do business–within a free and open market place, free from industry limiting laws and regulation.
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For more information contact:
Chad MacPherson, General Manager, SSGA
306-757-8523
ssga@sasktel.net
www.skstockgrowers.com
