Prince Edward Island beef producers are planning an event on Friday of this week in Charlottetown to profile Canadian beef and to celebrate the partial opening of the United States border.
"For beef producers, it is a time to celebrate the significant first step of the United States partially opening the border to allow boxed beef to enter September 1," says Darlene Sanford, President of the Prince Edward Cattlemen's Association. "Boxed beef is about 40 percent of our Canadian exports to the United States."
Gordon Lank, a beef producer from North Wiltshire, says this allows Canadian processing plants to increase production and should help relieve the backlog of Island cattle. "Our next step will be continued work with government officials to get the border open to live cattle," said Mr. Lank, who is also on the Interim Board of Atlantic Beef Producers Co-operative Ltd. and will be grilling Canadian beef at the Celebration of Beef Celebrity Cook-off event on Friday, August 15, 2003.
"We've just advertised for the bid proposals to build a new beef processing plant at Albany. We have come this far to have local processing for Maritime produced beef in one short year. That is a major achievement and that is reason for me to celebrate," says Dean Baglole, Chair of Atlantic Beef Products Inc. who will also be participating in the event on August 15.
Darlene Sanford says, "For beef producers the Celebration of Beef Celebrity Cook-Off is a time to thank our consumers and the government of Prince Edward Island who supported us through this difficult crisis. Canadians have continued to enjoy Canadian beef, and that has helped Island producers get packing plant workers back on the job and truckers back on the road. It also helps all the other Island industries that depend on beef producers like feed companies, equipment and vehicle dealers. We want consumers to know that, with every beef purchase, they are supporting rural communities. It is their neighbour who benefits in this stressful time. We have had an outpouring of goodwill and we want people to know that we really appreciate that support."
"To support the beef industry, the event will highlight new cuts of beef like Medallions and Quick Roasts that merchandise beef from larger animals into the smaller portions today's consumer wants. In particular, the emphasis will be on beef that is in oversupply since the trade borders closed to export on May 20," says John Colwill. Mr. Colwill is a beef producer from Tyne Valley who will be on the Celebrity Team. Mr. Colwill recently completed the very successful sale of shares, or hooks, to producer members of Atlantic Beef Producers Co-operative Ltd. That share sale allows the new plant Atlantic Beef Products Inc. to start construction.
According to Colwill, while beef sales in Canada remain at normal levels, the current trade disruption is creating challenges within the distribution chain. Canadian packers are not able to sell a large portion of the beef carcass typically sold to export customers. The P.E.I. Cattlemen's Association invited Celebrities to show beef cuts in oversupply at a Celebrity Cook -Off.
These celebrities welcomed the opportunity to join a team of beef producers like John Colwill and chefs from the Culinary Institute of Canada to bolster the beef industry. Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island will lead the Celebrity Cook-Off teams with Anita Stewart, Founder of Cuisine Canada. Minister of Agriculture, Mitch Murphy, who was first to show his strong support of Island beef producers, will make beef sizzle on the BBQ, with Doug MacLean, Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Team. The grills are heating up and ready for in Prince Edward Island Media Celebrities, Anne McCrae, Magic 93 Morning Co-host and Steve Sharratt, from The Guardian. Award winning owner/chef of The Claddagh Room, Liam Dolan, who is known for providing an atmosphere of great food and great time, will be in the Celebrity line up with Richard Wood, Prince Edward Island's fiddling superstar.
Gerry Richard, beef producer from Miscouche, who represents the P.E.I. Cattlemen's Board of Directors at the event, invites the general public to the event and to taste the tantalizing samples created by the Celebrity Cooks and Chefs from the Culinary Institute of Canada. The Celebration of Beef is on August 15 2 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of Canada, 4 Sydney Street, Charlottetown.