A $5.00 per head Cattle Industry Development Council check-off paid by producers when cattle are sold or slaughtered in British Columbia is working for the beef cattle producer. Here is a brief look at how the check-off dollars are used to influence the marketplace for the cattle industry. The $5.00 check-off includes:
$2.50 for the National Check-off $2.50 for the Cattle Industry Development Levy fund
How is the check-off collected? The beef check-off is collected under the authority of the Farming and Fishing Industries Development Act and the Cattle Industry Development Council Regulation. Livestock dealers, agents, stock yards and slaughter houses and Ownership Identification Inc. (OII) collect the levy at time of sale or slaughter.
Who determines spending? Check-off spending is determined by the producer Council. The Council is elected by provincial cattle industry associations. Ministry of Agriculture staff is also appointed 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 currently tends to be about $700,000 per year, with matching funds triggered from the Beef Cattle Industry 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 will remain responsible to collect the levy on other sales.
Who gets it? Provincial cattle industry associations can apply for project funding support.
Should the check-off be refundable? The National Check-off portion is non-refundable. 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 31 of the year following payment. Refunds tend to be low, and in recent years, 97% of dollars collected in BC have remained in the fund to work for the beef industry. To apply for a refund: producers can write a letter to the CIDC requesting a refund of levies paid during the previous fiscal year. Copies of invoices detailing the CIDC deductions must be included with the request for refund.
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.
increasing sales of beef (domestic and export), and finding better and more efficient methods of producing beef and cattle.
Increased sales of beef will be achieved through product promotion and development and expansion of new and existing markets by Canada Beef. Better and more efficient ways of producing beef and beef cattle will be developed through research. The Beef Cattle Research Council will administer the funds and will be tasked with ensuring research is well coordinated throughout the country and guided by sound industry priorities.
Canada Beef Canada Beef Inc. is an independent national organization representing the marketing and promotion of the Canadian cattle and beef industry worldwide. Its efforts to maximize demand for Canadian beef and optimize the value of Canadian beef products is funded by cattle producers and the National Beef Check-Off, which in turn makes it possible to access beef industry market development funds provided by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta. Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) The purpose of the Beef Cattle Research Council will be to sponsor research and technology development and adoption in support of the vision of the Canadian beef industry to have high quality Canadian beef products recognized as the most outstanding by Canadian and world customers. Issues Management The goals of the Issues Management program are: • To increase public confidence, and enhance the credibility, reputation, and trust in the Canadian beef industry, thereby increasing overall demand for beef in Canada and long term sustainability for beef producers, and • To develop stronger relationships and connectivity among industry partners and organizations to manage issues more efficiently and effectively.
Issues Management
The goals of the Issues Management program are:
• To increase public confidence, and enhance the credibility, reputation, and trust in the Canadian beef industry, thereby increasing overall demand for beef in Canada and long term sustainability for beef producers, and
• To develop stronger relationships and connectivity among industry partners and organizations to manage issues more efficiently and effectively.
The other $2.50 of the CIDC Check-off is designated for provincial projects. This producer managed fund supports awareness, research, marketing, and promotion projects for the benefit of the B.C. beef industry. Provincial cattle associations apply for project funding, enabling matching funds from the Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund.