KAMLOOPS — Local ranchers in the Thompson-Nicola region are joining many across the country that say Earls’ decision to switch from Canadian to American beef is damaging to an industry that has experienced its fair share of turmoil over the past decade.
“It’s a slap (in the face) because most of us in the business have to treat the animals well, or we have no product to sell in the proper manner,” says Tom Vicars, former manager of the B.C. Livestock Association and retired rancher.
Local buyer Mark Canart says “it would’ve been nice if the Canadian packers could’ve had a program that fit what Earls wanted and we could’ve done it.”
Many at Tuesday’s cattle auction in Kamloops say they will boycott Earls, a Canadian chain, over its decision to offer customers U.S. beef that is Certified Humane. Some ranchers find it offensive, knowing they treat their cattle just as well.
“I think it’s absolutely atrocious that they would say that,” says Balcan. “I think 99% of the producers, whether it’s the States or Canada, do a very good job of stewardship. So you have the 1%, but it doesn’t matter what industry. You’re going to have the odd hiccup, but in general I think we do a bang-up job and Earls needs to restate that.”
Canart believes the move is a marketing ploy by the restaurant chain.
“It gives somebody who is so inclined to eat that product, it gives them the warm-and-fuzzy feeling when they go and pay $5 or $6 more for a steak than what they could’ve bought down the street.”
The head of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says Earls didn’t give Canadian ranchers a fair shot before turning to a U.S. supplier to get humanely produced beef.
At the same time, producers says this is all part of the cross-border trade in the cattle industry.
“We export about 65% or 70% of the product across the border and it’s processed in the States,” says Balcan. “If we had more capacity in Canada, that may not happen and Earls probably would be still getting Canadian beef. But if they can’t get what they want here, there’s nothing wrong with them going across the border, because there’s a very good chance that they’re still buying Canadian beef.”
