These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
US Hiding Mad Cow
Mr.
Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is
about time the government did something for B.C. It has been 13 years.
There is mounting evidence and concern that the United States has been
hiding its cases of mad cow while keeping its border closed to Canadian
beef. These concerns have been raised by the U.S. department of
agriculture inspectors themselves.
Since we are importing American beef into our country and its safety is in
question, will the minister close our borders to American beef, launch an
investigation and stand up for Canada and the safety of Canadian food?
Hon. Wayne Easter (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food (Rural Development), Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we
always stand up for Canada and the safety of Canadians and food. The
member has referred to but one program. The fact is that regulations north
and south of the border are much the same. We abide by international
protocols. We can absolutely assure Canadians that our products and our
inspection system are among the best in the world. We have among the
safest food in the world.
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