The dairy growth hormone bovine somatotropin is being imported by some individual dairy producers even though it has not been licensed for use in Canada, a Bloc QuŽbecois MP alleged last week.
Jean-Guy ChrŽtien, BQ agriculture spokesperson, said the border is porous and the product flows in from the United States, where BST has been approved for sale and use.
ChrŽtien asked what the government will do to make sure BST-milk is not in the Canadian system until the government decides whether or not to approve the drug for sale.
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Goodale said Canadian customs agents “duly exercise their responsibilities and carry out their duties at the border to make sure that products which are not legal in Canada are not allowed into Canada. We will always do our very best to enforce the law and maintain the health and safety of Canadians.”
ChrŽtien was not impressed.
“The minister is very optimistic but it is not the reality down on the farm,” he said.
Health Canada still has not decided on the fate of BST in Canada, despite half a decade of review.
Last week, the Commons agriculture committee indicated that sometime this spring it wants to find out what is happening in the BST review before Parliament is dissolved for an election.
