These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Pork Exports
Mr.
Pierre Paquette (Joliette, BQ): Mr. Speaker, in the Speech from the
Throne, the government indicates that it will pursue its efforts to open
the U.S. border to Canadian beef and resolve the mad cow crisis. Far from
reopening, the U.S. border is once again being closed, this time to Quebec
and Canadian pork producers.
What does the government intend to do so that pork producers do not
quickly find themselves in the same difficult situation as cattle
producers?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, in anticipation that there may be a problem, I met with my
provincial colleagues a month ago. We had some very in-depth discussions
about this issue. I will be meeting again with relevant ministers on
Friday to continue the discussion on the types of actions we may want to
contemplate. In addition to that, I will be meeting with representatives
from the industry next week and we will also be having a discussion about
the appropriate measures that we ought to be taking.
[Translation]
Mr. Pierre Paquette (Joliette, BQ): Mr. Speaker, it is time for
action, not empty rhetoric. As regards this specific issue, the Minister
of International Trade cannot even rise to tell us what type of actions he
can take regarding the pork issue.
Will the government admit that swift and energetic action must immediately
be taken and that the Prime Minister himself should meet with the
President of the United States immediately after the American election, to
ask him to put an end to this protectionist attitude of our neighbours in
all areas?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the most important issue in this respect is to make sure that
we assist the producers in the challenges they face. As the Minister of
Agriculture, I am very much committed to ensuring that takes place. Part
of the strategic approach, of course, is to deal with the issues the
Americans have brought forward. We do not believe they are justified and
we will certainly, within the power and purview of the federal government,
take the appropriate action.
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