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VICTORIA – The B.C. Feeder Calf Set Aside Program is still in place while the U.S. border remains closed to live ruminants, John van Dongen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, reminded producers today.
Ranchers and farmers enrolled in the program must continue to keep their animals from the market until the set-aside period is over. When the program was created in October 2004, it was expected the U.S. would open its borders to live animals in early March, taking the pressure off the Canadian processing industry.
B.C. cattle producers had the choice of holding calves back from release until Oct. 1, 2005 with payments of $176 per calf, or Jan. 1, 2006 with payments of $200 per calf. Producers also had the option of setting aside either 30 or 40 per cent of their calves. The number of calves eligible to be set aside is based on the cows calved by the producer.
The ministry is conducting regular audits to ensure that calves are tagged correctly and are being held back from slaughter.
As a result of the closure of the U.S. border to live ruminant animals since May 2003, the cattle herd in British Columbia continues to grow and add pressure to already strained market conditions. The sector generates in excess of $200 million annually in farm cash receipts from the sale of cattle.
More information can be obtained by calling the ministry’s Risk Management Branch toll-free at 1-877 702-5585.
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Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries 250 356-2862 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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