These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Possible Border Opening March 7
Ms.
Belinda Stronach (Newmarket—Aurora, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the
re-opening of the U.S. border to Canadian cattle is far from a sure thing.
The U.S. secretary of agriculture said that he may change his mind one
minute before midnight on March 6. The U.S. government is being sued by a
group of its own cattlemen and powerful republican senators are trying to
keep the border closed.
The Prime Minister has failed to provide honest leadership to Canadians
and has flip-flopped on missile defence with the Americans. His indecision
could jeopardize the re-opening of the border.
If the border remains shut on March 7, will the Prime Minister take
responsibility for the hardship he is causing the Canadian beef industry?
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, that is utter nonsense. The agricultural secretary of the
United States has said that the basis upon which the border will be open
is one that will be based on science. We have made it clear that the
science indicates that the border should be open and in that respect, the
USDA put forward a rule that would in fact allow for the export of live
cattle under 30 months to the United States.
[Translation]
Ms. Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk, CPC): Mr. Speaker, what kind
of help can Canadian producers expect from a government with a
schizophrenic attitude toward the United States? There is no guarantee
that the border will be reopened to our cattle. Once again, the Prime
Minister is showing his inability to make a decision and stick to it.
Is the Prime Minister deliberately deciding to sacrifice our farmers, or
is his government merely incompetent?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, what Canadian producers can expect is record payments in
support, $4.8 billion. What producers can expect is a repositioning
strategy of set aside programs that in fact increase the price of both
feeder and fed cattle substantially in this country. What is happening is
that our producers once again are beginning to get from the marketplace a
good return on their products. We have more to do and we are determined to
do it.
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