CALGARY (Staff) – Alberta’s century old brand inspection program is under review.
“There have been drastic changes in the industry and as a result, brand inspection and livestock inspection is going to have to change,” said Cliff Munroe, director of Alberta Agriculture’s livestock marketing services, the division responsible for brand inspections and the patronage insurance fund which protects sellers when a buyer defaults on payment.
More cattle and more cattle sales in Alberta prompted the need for the review.
A consultant service is looking at ways to make brand inspection more efficient and effective in the next five years. Speaking at the recent Alberta Cattle Commission meeting, Munroe said producers will be contacted for suggestions as well.
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He anticipates Alberta’s livestock numbers to continue to increase and the staff can’t keep up.
During the last 10 years the workload for the 89 brand inspectors has grown along with the industry. Imports, exports and interprovincial numbers increase every year. Last year they checked 4.4 million head of cattle and 4,000 horses.
“Livestock inspection hasn’t really changed in 100 years. It’s time to determine if we’re doing the right thing at the right time,” he said.
His department wants to help develop electronic identification systems to speed inspections.
“Our people will still do the inspections but with more updated, scientific methods, maybe with a scanner. We don’t want to be the ones dragging our feet saying branding is the only way,” he said.
To change the system the government is looking at launching several test projects to try new ways of inspection to document animal ownership.
There are no plans to privatize the service as British Columbia has decided.
Insurance fund studied
Munroe’s department handles the patronage insurance fund which is also under review.
Sellers are charged $1.10 of which a dollar pays for brand inspection and the remainder goes to the insurance fund. The fund is supported by auction markets, dealers and producers.
As part of the review, they are looking at a tribunal to investigate disputes over non-payment for cattle. If the dispute is unsettled, it could go to court.
People in Alberta are only covered against dealers who hold an Alberta livestock dealer’s licence.
The fund sits at about $3 million. It was proposed that once the fund hit $5 million, premiums could drop to five cents a head, said Munroe.
