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.
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.
*NEW* Beef Production and Innovation Committee (formerly Livestock Industry Protection Committee & Research Committee)
Works on a broad scope of policies and issues related to the cattle industry around safety, health, welfare, and production and actively encourages relevant research on beef cattle and forage to benefit the BC cattle industry. The topics of concern for the committee include research, trespass, meat regulation, emergency management, animal disease, biosecurity, traceability, transportation, animal care code of practice, age verification, farm safety, bonding and assurance, fencing, food safety. The committee continues to work with organizations such as VBP+, BC SPCA, RCMP, OII, BCRC, TRU and the BC Association of Cattle Feeders to create a productive and researched cattle industry.