Cattle strike at Cargill Dunlop raises growing concerns – CentralAlbertaOnline.com

The Canadian beef industry wants an end to the industrial action at the Cargill-Dunlop plant in Guelph.

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), the National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) and the Beef Farmers of Ontario point out that the beef sector across the country depends on a resilient processing industry.

Members of UFCW Local 175 went on strike in May, and there are no signs of a resolution anytime soon.

The Cargill Dunlop plant is the main processing facility for Canada’s largest beef cattle region after Alberta.

Will Lowe, NCFA board chairman, says this disruption is difficult for beef producers who already face numerous other challenges.

“Cargill Guelph processes approximately 75 percent of Ontario’s cattle and plays a significant role in Ontario’s beef supply chain. The Cargill Guelph Dunlop facility fills 67 percent of the federally controlled processing capacity in Eastern Canada.”

Some of the beef cattle were brought south to US facilities for processing.

Beef Farmers of Ontario President Craig McLaughlin, BFO President, says the impact of the strike on feedlots, partners in the beef supply chain and farmers’ ability to financially support their operations is growing more severe with each passing day.

CCA President Nathan Phinney says beef producers rely on a strong and stable supply chain to get beef to Canada and our customers around the world as efficiently as possible.

He points out that while we fully respect and support the collective bargaining process, we cannot ignore the impact of this stalemate on the beef industry.

“The problem is only going to get bigger the longer this goes on. So at the moment we’re not seeing any impact, but if this goes on for a few more weeks and into the summer or even beyond, then the issue will certainly change.”