A strike at a Cargill beef processing plant in Guelph, Ontario, is approaching two weeks, forcing beef to be sold elsewhere in the province and beyond.
About 960 workers at the Cargill plant, which can process about 1,500 head of cattle per day and accounts for 75 to 80 per cent of Ontario’s beef processing capacity, have been picketing at the plant since May 27.
Craig McLaughlin, president of the Ontario Beef Producers Association, said everyone in Ontario’s beef industry is affected, but feedlots are taking advantage of multiple relief options for marketable animals.
“It’s a mix: some are staying local, some are moving out of state, some are relocating internationally, some are finding work in factories in other states,” he said in the update below, recorded on June 7.
He said the BFO has met with government officials to propose several measures to mitigate the impact on producers, including subsidies for transporting cattle long distances to slaughter, increased funding through the Ontario Risk Management Program, faster payments and a cattle holding program if needed.
“At the end of the day, the cows have to go somewhere. They can’t just stay in the feedlot and get fat. It affects everyone,” he points out.
McLaughlin said BFO will be in discussions with Ontario about the strike and proposals for mitigating the impacts. Newly appointed Minister of AgricultureRob Flack, “Sooner or Later”.
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