These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Cull Cattle Worthless
Mr.
Sébastien Gagnon (Jonquière—Alma, BQ): Mr. Speaker, the mad cow
crisis has done a great deal of harm to dairy producers because cull
cattle are now close to worthless on the market. A farmer from Normandin,
in the Lac-Saint-Jean area, received the ridiculous price of 7¢, once
shipping and abattoir costs were paid. Yes, 7¢ for a 2,000-lb. cow.
Does this government realize that its aid package is clearly inadequate,
since its $80 payment to farmers in distress simply does not compensate
for their actual losses? Normally, they would be getting around $1,000.
Hon. Jacques Saada (Minister of the Economic Development Agency of
Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for the
Francophonie, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has
undertaken an extremely important initiative with respect to repositioning
the industry. This four point plan includes two very specific financial
measures.
The Government of Canada is, for instance, prepared to cover 60% of the
funding required to support the industry, provided the provincial
government comes up with 40%. As an indication of its flexibility, the
government is even prepared to agree to a unilateral contribution of 60%
if the province will assume administrative responsibility.
The federal government has done all it can to assist producers in
difficulty in this instance.
|
