March 7?

[cowman]

How do you see the border thing unfolding? Do you think the border will open March 7?
My own opinion is the USDA will dither a bit to get R-Calf and that type distracted, but I suspect they have their marching orders and come what may that border will be opened sometime this year?
However, if that is the case, I would think if you have a son or daughter considering a career in the Canadian military, you might want to talk them out of it? I guess very few of us raised our kids so they could become cannon fodder for some oil company?
I suspect the fix is in place and Martin has sold his soul to Bush?

[WoolyBear]

you may be right cowman. I really do think the border will open on March 7th, but then I used to believe in the Easter Bunny too !!!
Your comments about oil companies is interesting. What is your take on possible water sales to the US ?

[intr3est]

Hey guys, when reading the new rule concerning the border opening, I think the USDA has done a good job of writing a rule that will stand up to scrutiny. All Canadian cattle will be in a sealed container and shipped directly to a plant or feedyard where it will be opened(unsealed) by a USDA rep. These cattle will be monitored and inventoried and also killed by 30 months of age. (maybe a good test for their own tracking system)I do not think the US courts will want to say that the standards are unsafe, or that will undermine their own re-opening of trade with other countries and also discredit the OIE.

In saying that, the one item that might be argued is the safety of the OTM boxed beef, but then again, we're removing the SRM's the same as they are and if they discredit the science in this case, then they are once again admitting that their own standars are sub-par. Just another thought, not that we will ever hear the results, but if it is proven that contaminated feed was travelling up from the US after the feed ban, then that will come into play also.

Changing the subject a little, I due envy the US system, where producer groups can confront the government on these types of things. We don't have as much ooportunity to do this in Canada.

[grassfarmer]

Cowman, I believe the border will open to live cattle this year - when who knows. Interesting development with the new ambassador to the US being appointed. Former New Brunswick premier but also long time member of the Carlyle Group basically the "Corporate mafia" from what I understand. It looks like his involvement with this will override any thoughts of helping the average Canadian. Instead he will push forward the agenda of the transnational Corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens of both countries. As Paul Martin said "I have appointed someone who will sell Canada" - is that sell to the highest bidder?