Comments again

[boone]

Post: I had a chance to read some of the comments, unbelievable, and a couple were Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, that kept cattle. One was a bank manager from Sturgis South Dakota, she suggested they shouldn't open border and do any favours for Canadians. Cattle farmers there were doing very well because of it thankyou. I wonder if we can get all the Harley Davidson dealerships in Canada to start a boycott of the big biker run to Sturgis SD this year. Maybe when the hotels are half empty they can check their cornflakes to see what is in it. These remarks were in light of COOL laws as I understand it, so ignorance is bliss.

[almoy]

If the US listens to the comments they are getting I don't see a hope in Hell that the border will open in my lifetime !!

[magpie]

Tried what you said grassfarmer,can't get in either.

[CattleAnnie]

To view the website, go to Kato's earlier post on this board ( Have you made your comment yet? Mar.10/04 ).

He's got the address there.

Best wishes.

[rsomer]

I have read many of the comments posted on the APHIS site. I recall the recent comment period on Canada’s proposal to change the rules on Bluetongue and Analplasmosis and the similar opportunity for the public to offer input during the comment period. There was a point of view expressed in these threads that the "fix was in" on BT and Anaplas and in hindsight it probably was. I doubt if any of the comments put forward to CFIA on the BT and Anaplas issue changed anything.

I am curious why the public comment period offered by the USDA would be viewed as being any different. Wouldn’t it be fair to say the "fix is in" on this issue as well. I would not be surprised, I would even expect, that the decision on when and how to open the border has already been determined. Offering the public an opportunity to comment is more of a public relations exercise than a genuine expression of a desire to gather public opinion which is a valued part of the decision making process.

I think the bottom line issue for Canadians here is does the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Meat Council (the packers) who jointly put forward a comment on January 6, 2004 on behalf of the Canadian beef industry speak for the Canadian industry. If so then there is no need for Canadians to reply. If you do not believe the CCA speaks for the industry then by all means put forward your comments.

There seems to be little to be gained. either collectively or individually, by further reminding the Americans of the science revolving around the BSE issue. If science was driving this issue the border would have been open in June of 2003. Since May 20, 2003 Canadian producers have had an opportunity to see first hand how trade politics work and international policy is made. Realistically, the politicians already have decided when the border will open. As the saying goes, "the fix is in".

[johnboy555]

C'mon...........Let em have it. Tell them how you can't afford to feed the children and like there is no tomorrow.

[kato]

Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Let's make some noise. Take a page from the activist's book. Call a local radio show and get the address out so everyone can comment. People hear there is a comment period, but they really don't realize that they can comment...not just Americans.

Even if the fix IS in, no one can say we didn't try.

[CattleAnnie]

I'm having trouble submitting my comment. When I try to submit, I keep receiving a page that declares "Internal Error".
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[grassfarmer]

Just send an ordinary email to "regulations@aphis.usda.gov" with "Docket No. 03-080-2" in the subject line, make sure it contains your name and address and don't attach any files to it. This will get through, be read and your name will appear on the list of commentors although it doesn't actually post your message up with the ones you were reading at the aphis website.That was my experience anyway - the "submit comment" forms have never worked when I tried them.

[CattleAnnie]

Thanks Grassfarmer. I followed your advice and pasted my comments on an email. I also contacted the webmaster with my concerns on the glitch in their system. Hope they address it soon. Makes me wonder how many of my fellow Canadians have been stymied by that system... Ah-ha! Another conspiracy theory?
Take care.