PM to Announce Huge Mad Cow Aid Package

[rsomer]

CBC:
Last Updated Sat, 20 Mar 2004 20:38:40
OTTAWA - Battered Canadian cattle farmers will get close to $1 billion in aid from the federal government, senior government sources said Saturday.

More than $500 million to go directly to farmers
The sources said Prime Minister Paul Martin will announce the package Monday at a farm outside of Lethbridge, Alberta.


INDEPTH: Mad Cow Disease

It will include more than $500 million in direct aid to farmers hurt by the mad cow crisis.

The rest of the money will not be directly linked to losses suffered after a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered on a farm in northern Alberta last May.

[rusty1]

That's suposed to be announced on Monday in Picture Butte with the Ag Minister on hand. Vote buying again. They need it.

[cakadu]

What about those not in the cattle business that have been directly affected by this whole mess? I am talking about sheep producers and to a lesser extent bison, goats, elk and any other ruminant that has not been allowed to cross the border since May 20th.

Yes, boned lamb under a year can go to the U.S. - but who actually buys boned lamb?

Hurting is hurting, doesn't matter what livestock you raise - we've all been hurt by this.

[les]

What about the guy growing feed grains-that no one is buying now?

[WoolyBear]

Boxed boneless beef has been going south for a long time too.......... Not sure how this is going to get distributed, but both Cakadu and les are right, theres more to look after than just beef.

[pandiana]

I can hardly wait to hear how this will be distributed. Maybe the grocery stores will get it this time so that it will filter down to the producer.

I agree that other livestock have been hit hard. I also have some sheep. Smaller groups seem to have slipped off the radar.

[frustrated1]

Feed brly here is now $2.60 on farm. We'd sold off combine at $2.50 before BSE #2, hasn't affected our feed sales, but that isn't a large portion for us.

As far as $, we'll wait and see not only where it's mailed to but who ends up with it. We're still feeding calves. Of the $400mil Alberta $'s we do not have a single penny. 1 billion is 2.5 times. Times what? 0? 0 times 2.5. Think I'll rush out and replace that tractor. And do calf prices drop an equivalent amount of payment within 12 hours? Years ago they had a fertilizer rebate from the govt. Guess what? Fertilizer prices went up that exact amount before the next bill came out. Just mail the cheque straight to Agrium why not? Will that happen again with our sterling clad packers? What? Me, cynical? Hope I'm wrong. All's well.

[grassfarmer]

As for alternative livestock /grain producers etc that is hinted at in rsomers news report. 5 or 6 million will go to cattle producers and the rest to "other sectors of agriculture". I hope we do all get a slice of the pie however small but keeping it in our pockets will be difficult.
In the UK when ever the Government announced a new subsidy or rate increase in an existing one the next link in the chain always dropped the farm gate price of products to pocket the proceeds. It seems to be the way ahead for agriculture everywhere. Consumers pay well for their food, multi-nationals become the wealthiest people on the planet and farmers live on Government handouts. We must address this issue as a priority.

[rsomer]

Maybe the issue is not who will get the money but if anyone will get the money. The CBC story went on to say:

"Monday's announcement will come just a day before the Liberal government presents its first budget since Martin became prime minister."

It has been pointed out to me that this money will be contigent on the Liberals forming the next government. It would be reasonable to expect that the government will call an election soon after it presents its budget. It is very unlikely that any of this money will be distributed before the election call. We will have to see.

[magpie]

Just my luck !! Buyers will likely be ho hum interested until details are worked out, as the ducks are in order to move cattle