The roles of the BC Cattlemen's Association Standing Committees are to research issues and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on actions/policies of the Association.
Committee Responsibilities:
Environmental Stewardship Committee Addresses issues relating to the environment and the management of water, wildlife and forage resources including associated legislation and regulations. Scope of work 2017-18: Water Act modernization, Water rights and licensing, Water Storage & Dams, Riparian Management & Stewardship (via FRISP Program), Wildlife conflicts, Species at Risk, Agricultural Waste Control Act & Regulations, Environmental Farm Plan, and Invasive Plants.
Land Stewardship and Aboriginal Affairs Committee Works on Range Tenure related issues; reviews and recommends changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Range Act and the Range Planning and Practices Regulation and related policy; reviews and recommends changes to ‘other’ related legislation and policy (ie Land Act, Trespass Act); mitigating mountain pine beetle impacts; funding applications; monitors the BC Treaty process; provides assistance to members and associations related to local treaty negotiations and issues.
Livestock Industry Protection Committee Deals with issues surrounding the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, Livestock ID, Verified Beef Production, RCMP, SPCA, Emergency Management, and Traceability. Works with the BC Highways Fencing program, and works on issues and regulations related to public safety, livestock protection, and insurance.
Public Affairs and Education Committee Responsible for promotion of BC Cattlemen's Association and the beef industry in BC. Develops projects specifically related to consumer education and promotion of beef, and communications from and about BC's beef industry. Responsible for providing producers with resources to promote the beef industry with consumers and the general public. Works closely with national promotion and marketing initiatives through Canada Beef and engage with other agricultural sectors to educate public and ensure public trust/social licence for beef production.
Research and Development Committee Looks for and follows agriculture-related research projects. The committee provides the directors and members of the BCCA with the latest information on current research projects, their progress and final outcome. Where possible, the committee remains involved with research completed through external sources such as the Beef Cattle Research Council and the Thompson Rivers University Chair in Cattle Industry Sustainability. The committee reviews applications for the Memorial/Bostock Grant research applications and recommends grant recipients.