How Come?

[cowman]

How is it the US has laws that limit the amount of influence the packers have on the market through captive supplies, while Canada has virtually nothing?
Tyson/IBP got fined $1.28 BILLION a couple of days ago in the US for violating those laws and Swifts and Cargill are up next! Yet here in Canada they have basically a free hand? No wonder they like it up here so much! So where are our lobby groups? Why aren't the CCA/ABP pushing our government to bring in similar legislation?

[cropduster]

Because we`re Canadian.......too passive.....We`re so smart we just sit around and `think` our way out of these things rather than actually doing something. Now the heat is on and we`ll maybe stamp our feet some more!!!!!!See you in Red Deer?????

[grassfarmer]

Spot on Cowman, I believe it is crucial to the industry here that we direct all attention to this matter - these packer cartels have got to be broken before they break us all.

[cowman]

I can't remember either the CCA or ABP ever pushing the politicians on legislation for this problem but I could be wrong? The next time I see my ABP rep I'll ask him, although he tends to think I have some rather goofy ideas! I guess he tolerates me because we have been friends a long, long time...long before he became an ABP cowboy! I asked him once if the ABP stood for Alberta Beef Producers or Alberta Beef Packers! He just laughs and says don't go there!