Bred cows

[smcgrath76]

devil's advocate here - We often lump
producing nation's into a "standard of
production" category, yet I suspect that
there are many producers in third world
countries that could give many of us in
first world countries a run for our
money as far as productivity and quality
of product are concerned. Conversely we
also have some first world producers who
should probably be somewhat ashamed of
the product they produce.
I know there is a risk to FTA's as we
often have the perception that the cost
of production in other countries is much
lower than here, but there is a HUGE
range in cost structures in Canada and
within specific ecoregions (eg: prairie
producers). I know several producers
who would be cost competitive with
Brazil and lots more who wouldn't.
I also prefer "marketing" approach as
opposed to the shutting out approach of
COOL. In other words, I am all for
branding a product as produced in
Canada, but only if it allows us to
extract more value out of the
marketplace, rather than preventing a
competing product from entering.

[littledoggie]

You're so right smcgrath. My choice of words was perhaps a bit over reactive. I also believe that "marketing" is a better approach than "shutting out". But I do feel threatened by imports. Can/will "Product of Canada" remain competetive? How many more "standards" are we as producers going to have to implement on farm to remain in the game? The government acts on our behalf by implementing FTAs, but also against us by making us less competetive through over-regulation. Because of BSE? Is this the price we have to pay to remain in the game?