CALGARY – Cattle producers may be willing to pay more for grading services, if they are given a say in how the system is operated, says the president of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association.
“We’re willing to pay our own way …. However, it has to be fair,” said Ken Summers, who is also grading committee chair for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
“If we don’t get some say in the grading and how it’s done and the hours that the inspectors work and all the parts that make up the grading system, then we’re not going to help fund it.”
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Grading fees are scheduled to increase from 30 cents a head to 50 cents in April, 1995. The total cost per head is expected to reach 74 cents per head within four years.
In federally inspected plants, owners have to pay meat inspectors a half hour of overtime each day because the government negotiated a 7.5 hour work day, but packers need them eight hours a day. Under a private system, that dispute could be re-negotiated.
Government advisory
“We’re suggesting we move toward a private, accredited system with government participating in an advisory role (by setting national standards),” said Summers.
The grading system will not change or become voluntary.
Other proposed fees are on the table for services like export permits and labelling, but the industry will not give them support without being consulted before they become policy said Summers.
Federal agriculture minister Ralph Goodale says Canada has benefitted internationally from high standards, but financial constraints are forcing the government to evaluate how it offers services.
But he promised delegates the integrity of the Canadian meat inspection system will not be placed at risk. “We will not compromise on Canadian food safety,” he told reporters.
