These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Fixed Timetable
Mr.
Peter MacKay (Central Nova, CPC): Mr. Speaker, no one is disputing
that, least of all the Conservative Party of Canada. We have to support
our armed forces.
The American border has been closed now to Canadian cattle for over 18
months. Farmers are desperate. The best assurance program that the
government can give would be to announce a firm date when the border will
be open.
On Sunday the Minister of Foreign Affairs told us that President Bush
would be proposing a timetable with clear commitments to open the border.
Later, the minister's aides tried to retract that commitment.
Could the Prime Minister affirm whether there is in fact a fixed timetable
to reopen the Canadian border so that cattle can get in to the United
States?
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, there was no retraction. The reality is that a week ago the
Americans announced that the rule had moved from the USDA to the OMB. The
OMB process is one that has a time-specific timeline on it of 90 days. It
is that clock that has begun to run. We were pleased to see that
particular progress. I was pleased to hear the President today make a
commitment to move that process along as expeditiously as possible.
Ms.
Françoise Boivin (Gatineau, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, it is evident that
the Canadian cattle industry has suffered from the effects of one case of
BSE. It has caused distortions in supply, slaughter capacity and trade
markets.
Considering the good news received from Hong Kong that its government is
lifting a one and a half year ban on beef imports today, could the
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell the House what additional steps
he has taken to open our trade markets for Canadian beef?
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have been making some progress. As I mentioned
earlier in question period, there is the move of the rule to the OMB and
today President Bush saying that he will direct his officials to expedite
that process and progress in the Japanese and Taiwanese markets. Today we
were very pleased to hear that Hong Kong is reopening its border to
Canadian boneless beef under 30 months of age.
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