January 16, 2007

NBIDF supports Canadian beef competitiveness
 

The National Beef Industry Development Fund (NBIDF) established with a purpose to strengthen the competitiveness of the Canadian beef industry has wrapped up activity and released results of more than 120 projects.

The NBIDF was set up by the governments of Canada, Alberta and British Columbia. Among the many projects funded, NBIDF contributed to the commercial beef utilisation strategy for BSE recovery, the creation of a new beef economics research institute, beef perceptions audits of top international meat buyers and an assessment of options for traceability in the Canadian beef industry.

The organisation's work has been invaluable in the wake of BSE, said Dave Plett, a southern Alberta feedlot operator and chair of NBIDF.

The NBIDF was managed by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and directed by a committee of producers and government representatives. Industry consultation fuelled the establishment of four pillar areas for NBIDF investment. These included expanded market share and security, increased product value, improved alignment of the supply chain, and investment in knowledge and education.

Priorities under theses pillars were initially established prior to the BSE incidence in Canada, but were later updated to meet industry needs in the wake of the crisis.

In the immediate aftermath of BSE, the Fund worked towards supporting enhanced domestic marketing maintaining and opening new export market development channels, pointed out Plett.

With an eye to the future, the Fund also encouraged innovative proposals to help the industry reposition itself for a new era.

The Fund had a strong willingness to promote 'out-of-the-box' thinking and projects, especially within the industry alignment pillar and the knowledge and education pillar, he added.

With the wrap-up of Fund activity, NBIDF encourages the many sectors and players in the Canadian beef industry to take advantage of the results that have emerged and to continue to roll out over the coming years.