The Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association (ACFA) are looking to make the provincial check-off non-refundable again.

The check-off is a service charge collected on every head of cattle sold in Alberta, or fed and slaughtered in Alberta, and is used to fund initiatives promoting and developing the cattle industry.

Chair of the Alberta Beef Producers, Charlie Christie, said the check-off would remain at $2.00.

"We loose about 30 to 35 per cent of our check-off, so it can be as high as about $2.5 million, and we're looking to get that back into the industry. The majority of producers see the value."

Christie said, ABP and ACFA look forward to working together.

"This partnership is really an opportunity for our industry to be well funded and well positioned to take our industry forward in the next few years. We've got some complex challenges we're facing on the trade front, as well as research and development, and marketing."

The two groups are hoping to hold a plebiscite this fall to decide if producers want to switch to a non-refundable check-off.

If the vote is successful, the Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund would then be created, which would provide opportunities for the beef industry through strategic investments of check-off dollars in research, technology transfer, market development, education, and consumer advocacy.

This fund would be governed by a council which would make their own decisions on the allocation of the money.

The Alberta Beef Producers said, the return to a non-refundable check-off would provide about $1.4 million annually to the new Development Fund.

Christe said, 25 cents of each check-off would go towards the Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association, 40 cents towards the Industry Development Fund, 5 cents towards the people who collect the check-off, 70 cents towards the Alberta Beef Producers, and 53 cents towards the Canadian Cattlemen's Association.

Town Hall Meetings are being held across the Province to consult with beef producers about the change.

The next meeting is June 7th at 7:00pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in Innisfail.

To view the full schedule, you can visit the link.


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