Finally...Some Backbone!

[pandiana]

I like the tone of this clip. Interesting also that it comes from the US side.

Finance minister: Canada will defend itself against U.S. cattle ban
published 10/5/04 on www.meatingplace.com By John Gregerson

Canadian Finance Minister Ralph Goodale has indicated that Canada will
defend itself against an "unjustifiable" U.S. ban of its cattle by
processing more animals at home.

"We've already begun to take steps to defend ourselves by the transformation
of the processing industry on the Canadian side," Goodale said after a
weekend meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow. "If [beef] is being
further processed on the Canadian side for the long term . don't blame us
for the consequences for the U.S. processing sector."

Goodale and Snow are set to resume discussions on the ban following the Nov.
2 presidential election — either late this year or in early 2005. The
ban has been in place since May 2003, when a case of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy was discovered in Alberta.

"We think science has been satisfied," Goodale said. "There is no economic
or trade policy justification for a continuing closure of the border. It's
an issue that should have been resolved a long time ago."

Courting Asian markets

In a related development, the Canadian beef industry is ramping up its
efforts to open up markets in other regions, notably Asia.

Canadian Beef Export Federation President Ted Haney, who was departing for
Jakarta, Indonesia, this week, said, "Indonesia is an interesting market.
It's large . but they do have a requirement that imported beef be
slaughtered in halal or Muslim style."

Some 88 percent of Indonesia's 240 million residents are Muslim, making it
the world's most populated Muslim country.

Following his trip to Jakarta, Haney plans to visit Taiwan, South Korea,
Japan, China and Hong Kong.

[BigMuddyrancher]

What else is little Ralph going to do. Stomp his little penny loafered foot.It sounds like the feds are building this added processing not industry. Just like the gov to take credit.

[BigMuddyrancher]

You must be a neighbor to Ralph, Big Muddy.

What do you think of the BIG C proposal for a producer owned Packing plant (or more than one) bridge financed by the Feds, and paid for by a Levy. The producers would then own shares in the plant in relation to the amount of levy contributions.

This plant would also be part of this survailance program; having testing facilities etc. etc.

Big C is meeting with Brian Evans (CFIA) next week, and will be hooking up with the Ag ministers office before the end of the month.

Any thoughts BMR?

[pandiana]

I am not sure what your refering to Big Muddy. I guess my point was that it would seem that our representatives, both Goodale and Haney, are beginning to reflect the real situation, Canadian farms have their backs against the wall. Rather than reiterating over and over that we are 'negotiating' to have the border reopened, they are beginning to indicate that they will fight for what is right.

As a livestock producer, I couldn't care less who builds packing plants. Just do it. If the government has to act to avoid our being swallowed up by foreign multi nationals, so be it, the sooner the better.