The real article - Who lost Lakeside - XL Foods or the CFIA?

[kato]

What I took away from it was the very scarey scenario that keeps playing out. It started way back when we had that very first BSE cow over 20 years ago, and continues to this day.

First, a bungled job. Then an over reaction. Next, draconian measures that never seem to prevent the next bungled job.

It seems that when there has been a problem, like the BSE or listeria, all kinds of research is done to make sure "it never happens again". Then the research is ignored in favour of increased regulations that don't do anything to make sure that it never happens again. (result.. BSE Class Action)

So, it happens again. And will likely happen again with e coli. And we pay for it, again. It's like now it's the cattle producers are "dying a death from a thousand cold cuts." To quote someone we all know.

That reference to the attitude change after the Americans got involved is another scarey thought. Hate to jump to a conspiracy theory, but it's not easy to resist it.

[rkaiser]

Yes Sheri, another very well reseached and written document. Thanks for putting all the CFIA stuff in perspective. Seems to me that Brian and Lee could be well pleased and use it as part of their political agenda. It's either am American conspiracy or complete incompetance on the part of the CFIA. And the implied threat to the cattleman and the Canadian cattle industry if we don't jump on board and blame the CFIA???? Holy batfish Catwoman!!!!

Sorry Sheri, just my personal opinion.

I will not argue that CFIA is innocent, their track record is not that great when it comes to big picture cattle biz issues. LOL

However, your article may actually push the media event that some say has gotten out of control. Suggesting that Canada has a totally inept inspection agency that is only working well at the Cargill plant because Cargill is a huge multinational player?

If people believe that this is the begining of the end of the beef packing indsutry in Canada, all because of the CFIA, would it not be better for the cattle indsutry to actually let the media keep finding problems with XL and their procedures and let them die a quick death? Tell stories of how the CFIA is working hard to correct their part in this fiasco, how well things are working at Cargill, and instill some confidence in the next beef packing entreprenuer to come to town? And they will come. One way or another.

[RShields]

Best coverage of the situation to date but still a lot of unanswered questions.
Is it possible CFIA is not allowing some workers back on the line due to lack of food safety training?
CFIA seems to favor public crucifixion as their punishment of choice. Demonize them them and leave them hanging for the mob to ridicule.
I've got no love for NB but this is scary. It can happen to anyone that falls under CFIA's jurisdiction.

[gcreekrch]

Thanks again Sheri. I sent this link to our MLA and this was the reply,

The CFIA should be under investigation and the Ministry that put them in place.

[perfecho]

Have not read the article, but will after such kudu’s....just this evening with a number of people dropping in..."XL did this on purpose so as they could get another Gov handout to buy up PFRA pastures that Harper is getting rid of…."
I mock the theory, however there is a small part of me that "wonders"...and that is the problem, we don’t know who is in bed whom, and we (I) no longer trust our governments to do what is best for us.
Our Governments are picking winners and losers, and that part sucks!

[rkaiser]

The XL thing is an opportunity and not a disaster for the producers of Canada. An opportunity to finally stand up and take the responsibility that is obviously needed from pasture to plate. The reason this BS happened is because beef, like most other foods have become commodities rather than nutritional dietary supplements for people and those people and groups who think about food in a monetary way have got to be replaced by people who care about the animals, the product, and the consumer.

If markets and supply numbers were an issue before, they are no longer. Now is the time to push the government for a loan or a loan guarantee to build a producer owned project. Beef Initiative Group Canada had the idea, we have put the plan into action.

One thing that I will agree with everyone posting on here is that blaming is only fanning the flames. Blaming the CFIA with your article has gotten to the Wild Rose facebook page Sheri and will soon be in the major media as well. Investment in new infrastructure or even the partner that NB knows they will have to have to open their doors is fading fast as the world now sees our inspection agency as bad bad bad.

I am not saying that you should have not written and exposed the CFIA; I am glad you did. Just letting you know that the little bit of bashing that you all feel GF and I have been doing will be overshadowed by the implications of blaming CFIA and scaring away future investment that is crucial for our industry long term.

[SheriMonk]

But covering up problems only make them worse
down the road.
How can we go forward on a crumbling foundation,
and what service do we do our industry or our
country by advancing our personal goals in the
short-term without fixing the issues that could
ultimately collapse them in the long-term?

Honesty is about being honest all the time, not just
when it suits us.
Industry has an opportunity here to demand a
better agency, and the timing is ripe to make that
happen. The cattle industry could be lead the way,
and earn the respect of consumers in Canada and
abroad for doing so, rather than consumer finding
out later that we KNEW the system was broken and
did nothing to help.

[ASRG]

Randy: Maybe exposing the short comings of the CFIA will actually lead to a better inspection system? Maybe it will encourage some whistle blowers in other plants to come out of the wood work?
While I like your idea of a producer plant I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for any money from Harper or Redford...they don't work for you and me....they work for the likes of Nilssons and Cargill! Their job is to make sure there is no competition!

[ASRG]

Oh and Randy? Don't look for any support from your ABP or CCA. They will be lobbying hard to never allow you to open a plant. They are corporate prostitutes......just like Redford and Harper!

[SheriMonk]

If the CFIA is as damaged as some fear it is, it makes
no sense to build a house of cards on top of it.

Maybe the agency is actually completely competent
and there is a logical explanation coming.

Either way, I think we need to know.