Meristem: Beef Science

A new Web site is available to help Canadian beef producers access information on the Verified Beef Production (VBP) program – Canada's on-farm food safety program for beef.

The VBP Web site, located at www.verifiedbeef.org, features information on program fundamentals, latest news and developments, including contact information to find out about VBP workshops across the country. It also includes online access to core program resources for producers, such as the VBP producer manual, fact sheets on good production practices and sample records.

"The Web site provides an additional way for producers and those who deal with producers to obtain information on the VBP program," says Terry Grajczyk, VBP national program manager. "More producers are using the Web as a resource. At the same time, many people who deal with producers and relay information to producers now routinely use the Web as a resource."

The site was constructed to be simple, straightforward and easy to use, particularly in rural areas that do not have high speed Internet access, says Grajczyk. "The approach was to structure the site so producers and others can quickly get the information they need."

An "About us" section contains core information and background on the program. "Latest news" includes regularly updated news releases and feature articles. "VBP across Canada" provides contact information for provincial Program Delivery Agents who producers can contact to sign up for VBP workshops.

The site also includes a "Producer resources" section, offering downloadable resources such as manuals, fact sheets and sample records; and a "Links" section providing access to Web sites with other provincial, national and international on-farm food safety program information.

"Much of the core resource information on the site will be of most interest to beef producers," says Grajczyk. "But a lot of the information on latest news and developments may also be of value to media, extension, industry and others who need current, easy-to-access information on the program. We encourage its use."

The VBP program is a grass-roots driven, industry-led program designed to assist producers with providing assurances of good on-farm food safety practices, she says. This helps to uphold consumer confidence in the products and practices of Canada's beef producers.

The VBP program is also part of a broad, global trend in food production, both in Canada and internationally, toward verified food safety standards, says Grajczyk. This includes many on-farm food safety management programs in different sectors of food production implemented in Canada and major food production countries around the world.

"The bottom line we aim for with the VBP program is stronger competitiveness for Canada's beef industry, as food safety continues to grow as a major factor in consumer buying decisions," she says. "The new Web site, as part of the broader VBP program communications effort, will help support that goal."

The VBP Web site also includes a "Contact us" section to invite feedback. "The feedback received through the Web site and through VBP workshops across the country is important to the ongoing development of the program," says Grajczyk. "That includes ongoing development of the Web site, which we see taking on a growing role as an interactive education tool."

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New Web site launched for Verified Beef Production program