#4-10145 Dallas Drive Kamloops, BC V2C 6T4 Phone 250.573.3611 Fax 250.573.5155 Toll Free in BC 1.877.688.2333
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The beef check-off is $5 per head of cattle sold or slaughtered in BC effective July 1, 2018. Funds are collected by auction marts, dealers, and Ownership Identification Inc (brand inspectors). The Cattle Industry Development Council (under the authority of the Farming and Fishing Industries Development Act) collects the $5 levy. The provincial levy is refundable however Cattle Industry Development Council (CIDC) with the support of BC cattle producers sought to have $2.50 of the check-off designated non-refundable to allow participation in the National Check-off system. Currently, $2.50 per head of funds collected are remitted to the National check-off and $2.50 remain in B.C.
How is the check-off collected? The beef check-off is collected under the authority of the Farming and Fishing Industries Development Act and a Cattle Industry Development Council Regulation. This producer requested levy has been supported in BC since 1972. Who determines spending? Check-off spending is determined by the producer Council. The Council is elected by provincial cattle associations. The Minister of Agriculture also appoints one of his staff to serve on the Council. How much money? Collections vary as to the size of the cattle herd and the number of cattle marketed. The CIDC fund tends to be about $700,000 per year, with matching funds triggered from the trust. $1.9 million is available on an annual basis. Who collects the money? Ownership Identification Inc. brand inspectors collect the CIDC check-off on private treaty cattle sales within BC where a dealer is not involved. Dealers, sale yards etc. will remain responsible to collect the levy on other sales. Who gets it? Provincial cattle associations must apply for funding assistance for projects that benefit the cattle industry, and are reviewed by the Council on an annual basis. Should the check-off be refundable? The National Check-off portion is non-refundable. In In British Columbia, the provincial beef check-off is refundable. Producers who do not wish to leave their check-off dollars to work for the industry can ask for it back before January 31st of the year following payment. Refunds tend to be low, and in the recent years, 97% of dollars collected in BC have remained in the fund to work for the beef industry. Is it a government tax? No, it is dollars collected by the industry to work for the industry in research, promotion and industry development. Receipts and expenditures are administered by the Cattle Industry Development Council. Has the Check-off worked?Yes, by working together beef cattle producers can pool beef check-off dollars and have the power to deliver strong, focused and effective programs to benefit the beef industry.
$2.50 of the CIDC check-off is designated for the National Check-off. The funds collected Canada-wide are focused on the four pillars outlined in the National Beef Strategy (2015-2018):
National Check-off from BC is allocated:
The Provincial Check-off in British Columbia is $2.50 per head on animals sold. These funds are available on application from provincial cattle organizations for project work that meets the requirement to benefit and promote the beef industry, or to conduct or support research or education programs for development and promotion.
This producer managed fund supports awareness, research, marketing, and promotion projects for the benefit of the B.C. beef industry. Four provincial cattle organizations have representatives elected to serve on the CIDC namely:
For more information visit www.cattlefund.net