The Council has successfully countered attempts to expand interprovincial meat movement to include non-federally inspected meats by participation in the Regulatory Review of Agriculture Canada and in presentations to the Standing Committee on Agriculture of the House of Commons.

Each time there has been a tendency in the direction of purchasing provincially inspected meats, the processing sector, through the Canadian Meat Council, has said "No Way". Commitments have been secured from government in support of purchase of federally inspected meats.

The Council continues to remind the regulatory agencies of the unfair advantages enjoyed by the producers of less stringently inspected processed meats and the dangers inherent with in-store manufacture without appropriate inspection. Efforts have been made to bring all production under a uniform national 'compositional' standard, the federal meat inspection standards, the best in the world, and that of Canadian Meat Council members.

The Council position is, "place all meat processed under a single national standard, the regulations of the Canada Meat Inspection Act".

The Council is currently encouraged by the discussions surrounding the Canadian Food Inspection System (CFIS); the introduction of Good Manufacturing Practices by Health Canada; and the development of a National Meat, Fish & Poultry Code. There is much activity in this area and developments look promising.

In 1995, the Canadian Meat Council entered into an agreement with Human Resources Development Canada to conduct a study of human resource skills and needs in the meat industry, to organize and establish activities related to financing, recruitment, employment equity, and to implement specific improvements such as training courses and skill recognition and upgrading.

The second phase of the study resulted in the development of a framework for the development of a human resource strategy for the meat sector. Several specific recommendations for activity were advanced, and the Canadian Meat Council has decided to initially pursue the development and implementation of training in ergonomics.

In response to the rapidly escalating price of corrugated board, the Council members established a Task Force to review the situation and develop alternate approaches. A system of plastic returnable totes for transport of fresh and processed meat to the retail customer had appeal, but is not being pursued due to cost and logistical constraints.

In recent years, the Canadian Meat Council has successfully challenged specific trademark applications that posed negative consequences for the meat products industry. The trademark application of the letters "IQF" and "PSE" were challenged and a successful resolve was achieved. Council objected to the application for a trademark of the word "Picnic". After a period of several months, the applicant withdrew the filing.

In 1994 - 95, the Council endorsed the government initiative to move retail inspection from Industry Canada (formerly in Consumer and Corporate Affairs) to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, now, CFIA. This move provides a more coordinated and integrated approach to retail inspection.

A "hot button" of the 90's. Council participates actively in advancing members' recommendations and high standards through the Agriculture Canada / CFIA, and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

Council maintains representation on the Expert Committee on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour.

Humane aspects of livestock processing operations are routinely monitored through the Industry / Government Committee on Humane Slaughter. The Council has been an active participant in developing Codes of Practice for Livestock. Codes now exist for cattle, hogs, sheep and veal calves.

A high percentage of Council plants has been inspected by Dr. Temple Grandin, industry expert on humane handling, during the plant audits jointly financed by Agriculture Canada, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council and the Canadian Meat Council.

During 1993 - 95, the Council participated in the Review of Humane Transportation coordinated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The changing consumer response has been addressed by the industry association as it cannot be taken for granted that "Meat Makes Sense". The Council is a co-sponsor of Meat Probe, published by the Beef Information Centre. This publication was cancelled in 1998. In 1995, the educational pamphlet, A Matter of Fat, was published by the Beef Information Centre with financial assistance from the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Meat Council.

The meat industry has been supportive of efforts to:
  extend the message about the integrity of the federal meat inspection system,
  assure the safety and wholesomeness of the meat supply, and
  assure the consuming public that meat is free of residues and contaminants.

More recently, the environment challenges have also been addressed.

In 1996 and 1997, the Canadian Meat Council financially supported a consumer-oriented public service announcement on meat, coordinated by the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. The Canadian Meat Council is a founding member of the recently launched "Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education" - a non-profit group representing consumer, industry, government, primary producers, and health organizations.