OTTAWA – Members of a government-appointed committee studying use of a dairy growth hormone will likely be hauled before a Commons committee shortly to answer critics’ charges that they are too secretive and may already have made up their minds.
MPs last week reacted angrily to complaints from a dairy processor that committee members are sworn to secrecy and that the government has already decided in favor of licensing bovine somatotropin for use in Canada.
Report fuels the fire
Their fears were bolstered by release of a government-funded report suggesting as many as 34 percent of consumers could quit buying milk and dairy products if cows are treated with the hormone.
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federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
After announcing a licensing moratorium until July 1, 1995, agriculture minister Ralph Goodale set up a seven-member task force last month to study the health, economic and agricultural implications of the drug.
Last week, Kempton Matte, president of the National Dairy Council of Canada, said the processor group is close to quitting the task force.
“We are very unhappy with the process,” he told MPs. “We are very concerned that we may be used as scapegoats and fall guys. As soon as we feel that, we are off the committee.”
Outside the committee room, he said there is a feeling among processors, who oppose BST, that the committee has been set up to pave the way for approving it.
In that case, the presence of dairy, farmer and consumer representatives will be used to give the decision credibility.
He said no information about committee discussions is being released.
“I’d say we are 50 percent out the door,” said Matte.
Members of the agriculture committee decided later to consider calling the chair and committee members forward to explain themselves.
The committee chair is senior Agriculture Canada bureaucrat Brian Morrissey. In addition to processors, farmers and consumers, it also includes representatives from Industry Canada and two BST manufacturers – Eli Lilly Canada Inc. and Monsanto Canada Inc.
Consumer fears
Meanwhile, a survey conducted for the government by Optima Consultants suggested a strong consumer fear of BST in the dairy industry.
In focus groups, 34 percent of consumers said it was unlikely they would continue to buy milk if BST was allowed.
Matte said if only 10 percent of those acted on their fears, the industry would take a greater “hit” than it will from increased access to foreign product allowed under new trade rules.
