Achievements
What we've achieved to date

Industry Promotional DVD: Introduction and explanation of various aspects of the cervid industry

• Useful for circulation to government, schools, and other interested parties.
• Demonstrates the value and diversity of the industry and how the integrity and commitment of cervid farmers contributes positively to the Canadian rural landscape and the people and economy of Canada.
• Watch video

Positive new articles: Supporting the promotion of the industry and address major issues

• Professionally prepared articles for circulation by the industry
• Allows the opportunity to demonstrate the pride we take in our industry and relaying that message to key stakeholders and the public.

Whitetail Venison and Elk Meat Nutritional analysis: Basic requirements for labeling and co-product development

• Nutritional values based on Canadian animals
• Analysis of various organs and antler
• Demonstrates the healthy attributes of farm- raised venison and elk meat and the industry's commitment to our consumer

Market Research in the Pet Market: EVA use in pet healthcare

• Promotion and awareness of velvet antler as a supplement in pet food
• Demonstrates the demand for the product which allows producers and the industry to prepare for and manage supply side demand challenges.

Share-Point portal website: Database of industry information.

• Excellent resource to track research, past activities, promotional efforts, production information etc.
• Allows efficient and effective management of information and sharing of resource material which is beneficial to the overall development of the industry.

Market Access trip to New Zealand: Delegates sent to NZ to learn about the success of the industry

• Relationship building with NZ counterparts.
• Collection of information on the industry
• Opportunities for co-operative initiatives
• Allows comparison of Canada's industry to one of the most successful farmed cervid industries in the world.

Update re: CWD Risk (Market Access Project 2007)

• Resource paper prepared by third party epidemiologists to assess the risk associated with CWD and identify mitigation factors.
• Useful for breaking down barriers to trade and establishes where more work and research is needed.
• Demonstrates the industry's pro-active approach to managing the risks or perceived risks of CWD within our industry.

Meetings with key program coordinators and agricultural representatives

• Allows industry a better understanding of the resources available and identifies opportunities and challenges the industry needs to address.
• Creates overall awareness of the industry, its challenges and the benefits to re-establishing markets and creation/support of new and non-traditional market opportunities

Working towards implementation of an On-Farm Food Safety Quality Recognition Program

• Demonstrates to the consumer the industry's commitment to food safety and human health.
• Establishes a tool for producers to take advantage of market opportunity related to consumer demands.
• Benefits producers by allowing them advantages in marketing.

On-going work towards a National Traceability Program

• Demonstrates to the consumer the industry's commitment to food safety and human health.
• Establishes a tool for producers to take advantage of market opportunity related to consumer demands.
• Benefits producers by allowing them advantages in marketing.
• Aligns cervid industry with other agricultural industries.

Live Animal and Semen Protocols

• Removed many barriers to trade between US and Canada (working towards more)
• Successfully aided in the re-opening of the Canadian border to US animals and semen