These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Agricultural Policy Framework
Mr. Charlie Penson
(Peace River, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, I do not think bringing
in the Rolling Stones is going to solve that problem.
It is estimated that by next week, losses to the livestock industry will
be over $1 billion due to the BSE scare. The beef industry has rejected
the government's latest proposal, saying loans simply are not the answer.
As they say, “You cannot borrow yourself out of trouble”.
Now it appears the government is using this disaster to blackmail the
provinces into signing its agricultural policy framework. I ask the
minister, will the government introduce a comprehensive compensation
package outside of the APF?
Hon. David Collenette (Minister of Transport, Lib.): Mr. Speaker,
once again the opposition does not have the facts. There has been no
proposal put on the table because the Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food is meeting with his counterparts in Vancouver today to discuss
this very issue and what can be done.
Certainly ministers on this side of the House have been working on this
particular matter under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food for the last number of days. I am certain that the discussions
in Vancouver will help the situation and help deal with the very terrible
crisis that is faced by producers and others in the country.
Mr. Charlie Penson (Peace River, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker,
that is part of the problem. No proposal will be put on the table. It has
been almost a month since this scare started to affect beef producers and
it is an economic loss to the livestock industry.
The president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association says the minister's
BSE compensation plan for loan guarantees is like throwing a rock to a
drowning man. The industry needs cash, not more debt.
I ask again, will the government commit to an immediate cash injection for
the feedlot industry that is losing millions of dollars a day?
Hon. David Collenette (Minister of Transport, Lib.): Mr. Speaker,
as I have said, all of these issues are under discussion today in
Vancouver.
The hon. member should recognize that the preoccupation of the Government
of Canada and the provincial governments and especially my colleague the
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is to deal with the science in this
case to ensure that people are well aware that there is no hazard from
other animals being infected. The science is now conclusive and is now
being analyzed by our friends in the United States. This leads us to some
optimism that the border will be opened in the near future.
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