During the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) directors meeting in Ottawa, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced nearly $200,000 investment in support for the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program and remote auditing.
The VBP+ program, administered by the CCA, is a voluntary certification program that ensures beef cattle operations meet high standards of food safety, animal care and the environmental stewardship.
The funding will go towards a web portal and an app for remote audits, so cattle producers have easier access to the VBP+ program and strengthen their relationship with consumers.
“Canadian cattle producers care for their animals and our environment,” says Bibeau.
“Canada’s beef industry, through the leadership of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and it’s Verified Beef Production Plus program, is stepping up to meet the demands of consumers for food made to the highest standards for safety, animal care and environmental stewardship.”
There are over 1.6 million cattle already under the management of certified VBP+ operations in Canada, and this announcement will help more cattle producers meet market demands for sustainably raised beef.
“VBP+ is one of the tools beef producers can use to ensure consumer trust and help our industry meet ambitious national strategy goals, which will help us meet beef demand well into the future,” states Bob Lowe, President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
“Increasing efficiency in certification infrastructure and delivery enables VBP+ to keep producer costs reasonable while on market opportunities.”