The Canadians Cattlemen's Association has presented the former Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz with the 2017 Beef Industry innovation and sustainability award.

The award recognizes innovations that contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry.

Lynn Grant is a Saskatchewan director with the CCA and chair of the Foreign Trade Committee.

He says Gerry Ritz stood beside the beef industry in many ways including the fight against US country of origin labelling legislation.

"We greatly appreciated his stance on that," Grant said. "That's an example of a situation where neither the industry alone or the government alone can expedite change especially on that one, and even on some other issues. He worked very closely with the industry to achieve positive results."

Gerry Ritz served as Federal Agriculture minister from 2007 to 2015 and along with Trade Minister Ed Fast played a key part in improving market access.