The Canadian Beef Association (CCA), National Beef Feeders Association (NCFA) and the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) are calling on the Cargill Dunlop plant in Guelph and members of UFCW Local 175 to quickly resolve labour issues.
“Canada’s beef industry relies on strong processing industries across the country, and the impacts of this strike are having a significant impact on beef producers in Eastern Canada,” the June 24 press release stated. It has been almost a month since the labor dispute at the factory began.
Cargill Guelph processes approximately 75 percent of the province’s cattle and plays a vital role in the province’s beef supply chain. The Cargill Guelph Dunlop facility accounts for 67 percent of Eastern Canada’s federally inspected processing capacity.
“Canadian beef producers rely on a strong and stable supply chain to deliver beef to Canadians and customers around the world as efficiently as possible. While we fully respect and support the collective bargaining process, we cannot ignore the impact this impasse is having on our beef industry,” said CCA president Nathan Finney. “Both sides are urged to move negotiations forward quickly and find a solution as soon as possible.”
According to CCA, so far there are no indications of upcoming talks or negotiations to end the strike, which began on May 27, 2024.
“The challenges associated with the loss of Eastern Canada’s largest beef processor cannot be understated,” said BFO President Craig McLaughlin. “Ontario is the second largest cattle-raising province in the country, and our members rely on our processing partners for their critical work and their role in getting beef to the tables of consumers in Ontario and around the world. With each passing day, The impacts of the Cargill Dunlop labour strike continue to impact our nation’s feedlot sector, our beef supply chain partners and our farmers’ ability to cash flow their operations. BFO urges both sides to work towards an immediate resolution to this dispute.”
Ontario beef farmers have been mitigating the impact of supply chain challenges by sourcing alternative facilities in Canada or the United States to process cattle or by keeping them on farm for longer periods. “Both options come with unique challenges and additional costs. The Canadian beef industry has growing concerns about the sustainability of these efforts and their impact on the industry as the strike enters its fifth week,” the group said.
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