Board Committees

CCA’s board committees make recommendations to the board of directors on how to best support Canadian beef producers. The committees are structured to deal with key issues affecting Canada’s beef cattle industry and are comprised of directors, at times industry representatives, plus a CCA staff representative.

Issues the committees address include animal health and care, sustainability and environment, foreign trade, domestic agriculture policy and regulation, and food policy.

Animal Health and Care Committee

CCA’s Animal Health and Care Committee is responsible for monitoring current issues and trends in animal health, care and welfare including federal legislation and regulation, activism, research and international bodies such as the OIE and the International Meat Secretariat. TCCA plays a prominent role at the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council; the National Farm Animal Care Council; and the Canadian Animal Health Coalition with representation on these respective Boards and Executives. The Animal Health and Care committee debates and recommends CCA policy and relays concerns regarding animal health and care issues to industry and government. For both animal health and animal care, the committee advocates for regulations that are based on sound, current science and do not unnecessarily impede trade.

Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee

The Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee deals with non-trade-related regulatory issues, including general government policy, safety nets and other regulations affecting cattle production. This committee also makes representation to the government and works with other committees or groups on issues of mutual interest.

Environment Committee

The Environment Committee works to encourage environmentally sustainable production practices, appropriate government regulations/policy in the environmental field and communicating to the public that producers are responsible custodians of the natural resources they manage. The Environment Committee participates in many research and joint initiatives between industry, government and international groups. Another fundamental responsibility includes activities related to the promotion of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).

Food Policy Committee

CCA’s Food Policy committee focuses on enhancing the position of Canadian beef in domestic and international food markets. This includes consideration of topics such as labelling, food policy and alternative proteins. CCA works to ensure that Canadian and foreign regulations support beef consumption and that international perceptions of the beef industry appropriately represent its role in food systems.

Foreign Trade Committee

The Foreign Trade Committee focuses on expanding and defending international market access for Canadian beef. CCA wants to ensure that the Canadian beef industry has favourable access to international markets and is not exposed to unfair competition. This committee also works towards eliminating programs, measures and subsidies around the world that distort trade.