Premier Christy Clark proclaimed June 1, 2011 the second annual B.C. Beef Day, celebrating with members of the BC Cattlemen's Association and ranching community by showcasing local beef at a bbq outside the legislature.

"B.C. Beef Day marks an occasion to stock-up on local beef and celebrate the hard-working ranching families who have been breeding and raising some of the finest animals in the world for more than 100 years," said Premier Clark. "I encourage all British Columbian families to add beef to their menus and shopping lists and help support a strong, vibrant, and sustainable beef industry in the province."

The beef industry is worth more than $250 million to B.C.'s economy and more than 4,000 ranches around the province provide employment and income for thousands of British Columbians.

"The province recognizes the cattle industry's economic contribution to rural B.C. and its role in providing jobs in these regions," said Agriculture Minister Don McRae. "Through recommendations following the collaborative work of the Ranching Task Force, the Ministry launched a successful trade mission to Asia to promote B.C. beef and invested $5 million dollars of federal and provincial funding to encourage and support innovation in the sector."

The first B.C. Beef Day in June 2010 was proclaimed in response to recommendations made by the Ranching Task Force to identify key issues and opportunities facing the ranching industry in B.C.

"B.C. is well known for our environmental beauty. As stewards of the land, ranchers ensure our environment is there to be enjoyed by all British Columbian," said B.C. Cattlemen Association president Judy Guichon. "Ranching is a family business and often has several generations working together on the ranch. This succession is integral and facilitates passing of knowledge from one generation to the next."

The beef industry and the province teamed up to identify government and industry actions to help the ranching industry recover from the challenging economic times they have experienced since 2003. This resulted in a $5-million federal-provincial investment in B.C.'s beef industry, giving our ranching community a competitive edge. The Ministry also committed to continue the $9.347-million Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund that was due to terminate in 2014. The ministry extended this fund in perpetuity.

View photos of B.C. Beef Day (flickr.com)

Contact:
Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Niki Pandachuck
Media Relations Contact
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693