Government Relations & Advocacy

On an ongoing basis, Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) monitors and responds to legislative proposals, bills, and proposed policy and program changes. In addition, BFO’s Board of Directors and senior staff maintain close contact with MPs, MPPs, and political staff to keep the priorities for Ontario’s beef sector top-of-mind with decision makers.

Why does the Ontario Beef Sector Matter?

  • We are a leader in global sustainable beef efforts
  • We maintain one of the lowest GHG footprints of all beef systems in the world
  • We contribute $3.23 billion to Ontario’s GDP on an annual basis
  • We sustain more than 58,000 jobs through primary production, processing and retail

provincial government priorities

  1. Ensure farmers have access to sufficient risk protection to guard against increased market volatility, specifically trade threats, input cost volatility, and supply chain disruptions, including continued
    investment and support of Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP).
  2. Defend Ontario’s trading relationship with the United States and vigorously oppose any U.S. tariffs or reduced market access for live cattle, beef and beef products.
  3. Help the next generation of beef farmers by supporting a government-backed Breeder Loan Guarantee Program, building on the 35-year success of the government-backed Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program.
  4. Address the large animal veterinary shortage in the province by enhancing incentive programs, increasing investment in the Vet Assistance Program, and ensuring the successful launch of the new collaborative DVM program with Lakehead University and the University of Guelph.
  5. Initiate property tax relief measures for small and medium sized abattoirs, and support new investment in meat processor infrastructure and expansion.
  6. Work with industry to find solutions to help reduce the prevalence of provincial carcass condemnations under Ontario’s Meat Inspection Program, administered by OMAFA.
  7. Conduct a formal review of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act. Seek to create distinct and tailored systems of enforcement and regulatory frameworks for livestock, companion animals, and zoos and aquariums, similar to what is done in other jurisdictions.
  8. Seek improvements to the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program by increasing compensation values for calves, removing the reasonable care plan requirement, and improving payment response timelines.
  9. Increase investment in beef and broader agri-food research through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance program, which is a collaboration between OMAFA and the University of Guelph.
  10. Help grow Ontario’s agri-food land base through investments in community pastures and policy flexibility to allow Crown Land to be accessed by farmers for food production.

Federal government Priorities

  1. Defend Canada’s trading relationship with the United States and vigorously oppose any U.S. tariffs on Canadian agri-food products, specifically cattle, beef and beef products.
  2. Seek a permanent increase in the interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) of at least $250K.
  3. Harmonize Canadian SRM Removal Requirements with the U.S.
  4. Remove the 100-Day Residency Requirement with the U.S.
  5. Seek an ELD Exemption for a 240 km radius around origin and destination for livestock transport.
  6. Advocate for increased investment in Meat Processing Capacity focused on increasing access to infrastructure grants, access to labour and skills training, and market development support.
  7. Continue to encourage Corrections Canada and CFIA to find a path to reopening the Joyceville Penitentiary Abattoir.
  8. Pursue improvements to the Restricted Feeder Cattle Program to make it easier to exit the program, and to more easily allow cattle movements beyond direct-to-slaughter in emergency situations (plant or border closure, human health emergency, etc.).

Why should government invest in farmers?

Partnering with Ontario farmers means more than just an added expense, it represents an investment with a proven return for the Canadian and Ontario economy.