These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Calls for Equal Health Standards
Mr. Rick Casson (Lethbridge,
Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association
and the U.S. beef association are both calling for the harmonization of
health standards in cattle. Industry on both sides of the border is in
agreement. Harmonized health standards are essential to an open border and
normal trade.
Why will the government not listen to industry, accept the science, remove
the barriers and get the border open?
Hon. Lyle Vanclief (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member fails to recognize the fact that before these
types of things have to happen we need to have all the scientific risk
assessments taken.
I understand, and I have heard him very clearly, that the industry wants
it open, and there is no question that we want our borders open as much as
we possibly can. But we have to recognize, for the health of the whole
cattle industry in Canada and for the health and concerns of humans in
Canada, that all of the disease and the risks that go around that have to
be taken into account.
That we will do. When that risk assessment is completed, then we will act
upon that risk assessment.
Mr. Rick Casson (Lethbridge, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, the
risk assessments have been done over and over again. The industry says the
risk is manageable. It is willing to take the risk. It is this minister
who is standing in the way of that open border.
The government has a clear choice to make. It can do the right thing, and
remove the barriers, harmonize the health in cattle and get the border
open, or it could keep the border closed and be the grim reaper when it
comes to the cattle industry in Canada.
Hon. Lyle Vanclief (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the risk assessment has been done and is being redone as we
speak. The risk assessment results to date have indicated clearly that to
this date the border should not be open, but in that stage, even with
that, some pilot projects were done this year so that risk assessment
continues. I remind the hon. member again that all risk assessments by the
scientists, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to date
have indicated that the border should remain closed.
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