A $2 million aid announcement by Alberta for non-beef ruminants is nice, but it’s going to do little to help people in the bison, sheep, elk, deer and veal industries cope with the border closing, say industry spokespeople.
“It’s important that the Alberta government is recognizing that other ruminants have been affected by the closure of the U.S. border. What’s disappointing is the amount of dollars they’re putting behind the program is not really near enough to help producers affected by this problem,” said Glenda Elkow, president of the Alberta Elk Association.
Read Also
Alberta researcher helps unlock the economics of farming
Lethbridge Polytechnic researcher helping agriculture producers with decision-making tools in economic feasibility
The provincial government announced the Alberta BSE Slaughter Market Adjustment Program for Other Ruminants Sept. 23, in an effort to help producers of meat from ruminants other than cattle who have been hit by the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in an Alberta cow.
Earlier, the federal and Alberta governments announced a $460 million BSE Recovery Program, a $65 million Alberta Fed Cattle Competitive Bid Program and the Alberta Fed Cattle Competitive Market Adjustment Program, which had no price tag attached. Under the three programs, more than 700,000 head of cattle on feed as of May 20 received some form of government assistance.
“In comparison to what the beef industry has been given, it’s very, very minor,” said Elkow, who wonders how the $2 million will be spread to so many goat, sheep, elk, bison and veal producers.
It’s a sentiment Alberta bison producers feel as well.
Linda Sautner with the Alberta Bison Centre said bison producers are grateful for any money the provincial government sends their way, but realizes the aid program will do little for producers.
“I don’t think it will do a lot of people a lot of good. I don’t think it’s going to be a salvation for any bison producers,” said Sautner.
No one with Alberta Agriculture had returned calls by press time. In a News release
news announcing the program, Alberta agriculture minister Shirley McClellan said: “This transition program fully meets Alberta’s commitment to developing a transition period for the other ruminant livestock industries.”
Owners of slaughtered elk and bison will be paid a maximum $150 an animal. Deer, reindeer and caribou are to get a maximum $60 per animal. The maximum for sheep and goats is $20 an animal and veal is $60 an animal.
