A bitterly contested beef levy is already facing delays in Manitoba, but the province’s agriculture minister remains adamant that it will be implemented this summer.
The province had wanted collection of the $2 per head beef levy to begin this month. However, it appears collection of the levy will now start no sooner than July.
“It takes a little bit of time to get everything in place,” said agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk last week. “I’m hopeful that it will be up and running within a month or so.”
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The beef levy was announced by the province in March as a way to raise money for increased slaughter capacity in Manitoba. Producer contributions will be matched with provincial dollars. The Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council will decide where to invest the money.
The levy has touched off a firestorm of debate. The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association opposes a mandatory beef levy and wants a meeting with premier Gary Doer and his caucus to discuss its concerns.
“It’s all about choice,” said MCPA executive director Keith Robertson.
“Producers have made it very, very clear on different occasions to this provincial government that they want choice, and it’s continuing to fall on deaf ears.”
The MCPA and its members want increased slaughter capacity and are committed to working with the province on that, according to a News release
news issued by the association last week.
However, the association has been lobbying the provincial NDP government to hold a producer vote on the levy or to at least make it refundable.
“We’re calling on a daily basis to see when we could land a meeting with the premier and caucus,” Robertson said June 2. “They keep telling us that they’re committed to having one with us. They just haven’t set a date yet.”
The MCPA gathered producer opinions through surveys it circulated at three meetings held in May. Of the more than 1,500 producers who attended the meetings at Grosse Isle, Ste. Rose du Lac and Brandon, 895 returned the surveys.
Of the respondents, 91 percent said they wanted a vote on the levy. A similar percentage was not in favour of paying a mandatory, non-refundable levy.
However, 60 percent of respondents indicated they would support a mandatory $2 per head levy if it was refundable, allowing them to apply to get their money back.
