The need to help Canada’s cattle industry deal with the continuing effects of BSE border closures will be a key issue as Ottawa’s political season begins this week, says agriculture minister Andy Mitchell.
It appeared to be a signal from the new minister that hope for a border opening no longer is the core of government policy.
This week, Liberal MPs meet in Ottawa to begin planning an agenda for the next session of Parliament that begins Oct. 4. Cabinet then meets Aug. 26.
The need for BSE action will be a prime topic, the minister said in an Aug. 20 interview.
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“I will be updating my colleagues on the issue,” said Mitchell. “It is time we begin to look at made-in-Canada solutions and I think it is important that the government act as expeditiously as possible.”
On Aug. 28, as Republicans are gathering to begin the American re-election season by nominating George Bush as their presidential candidate for the November election, Mitchell travels to New York City to meet U.S. agriculture secretary Ann Veneman to press her for a quick decision on opening the border to live cattle.
And Sept. 20-22, he meets provincial ministers for the first time and a federal-provincial BSE plan will be a key topic. The federal and provincial ministers had a preliminary conference call last week.
“My colleagues have come to the conclusion that as important as working to get the border open is, it is time to begin working on Canadian solutions as well,” he said.
That would include “a series of measures that would help (cattle producers) shift to a more sustainable basis of operation despite the border closure.”
Last week in Calgary, industry leaders debated proposals for compensation and cull cow programs that could cost governments hundreds of millions of dollars.
They said that with a calf crop ready to come to market soon, the need for a government commitment within weeks is urgent.
Mitchell would not be pinned down to timing or a commitment for more government spending.
“I will say, however, that I recognize as valid the concern they have that something has to be done sooner rather than later,” he said.
Last week, after her first trip west since being appointed Conservative party agriculture critic, Ontario MP Diane Finley said she will focus on the need for action to counter BSE damage.
Her emphasis was on the need to reopen the border, although she promised to take to the Conservative caucus some of the innovative solutions she heard in the West.
Finley said Mitchell must act quickly.
“Canadian farmers and agricultural producers cannot afford to wait for this Liberal government to get back to work on Oct. 4 when the House is scheduled to return for business,” she said.
“With a record number of cows ready to be culled this fall, action is needed now to get the border reopened to Canadian beef.”
