Heavy Hand of the CFIA ---- Victimizes a Canadian Cattleman.

[burnt]

Grassfarmer, I would argue that while our system is far from perfect, we DO have one of the best systems in the world. I would also say that there is too much responsibility in the cattleman to make it work.

If the repercussions for lost tags would fall back on the tag manufacturer, you can bet that they would improve their product overnight.

Heavier tag stems, better head design to prevent snagging, etc.

Why should the farmer/rancher have to take the fall for shoddy production of a critical piece of the I.D. chain/effort?

[grassfarmer]

What makes our system "one of the best in the world?"

[vagabonddreamer]

this article is from a US site...however it is pertinent to the discussion here...specifically it is an article geared towards the younger segment of the population and the questions they should as about how best to run a beef operation....they are teaching absolute bottom line...if it doesnt pay...dont do it...

"Why should one ear tag a calf? It is the bottom line that counts. If more money is not returned, then why ear tag or participate in the age and source verification of calves?"

here is a link to the entire article

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/BeefTalk--Young-Minds--More-Questions/2009-11-25/article_FeedByproducts.aspx?oid=962208&fid=CN-LATEST_NEWS_

if US operators take this to heart..they will fight government legislation to impose tagging and age verification...their lobby in the US is very powerful (unlike us..lol)...i bet it is decades before they have to go through the expense and heartache...and again...they will have the advantage of a lower bottom line and less regulation....vs

[burnt]

I dunno. Maybe just my bias Grassfarmer! But off the top of my head I would say that a couple of things that make the Canadian system a better system is that we have shown the will and the action to be open, accountable and solid in our trace-back efforts.

I think that we have established a world-wide reputation as an exporter that can be depended upon to consistently deliver what we promise. And while our system is not airtight, it is recognized as dependable for the reasons given.

The Korean visitors we had at our place last summer said that because of our open and transparent procedures, Canada has a solid and trustworthy reputation in their home country.