These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
R-Calf Injunction
Ms. Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk,
CPC): Mr. Speaker, R-CALF trade mercenaries in the U.S. are
threatening to take measures to slam the U.S. border shut to exports of
Canadian boxed beef. These devious attempts to further cripple our
livestock industry demand that we consider all options to increase our
export markets for Canadian beef and livestock products.
Would the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food finally consider voluntary BSE testing to help
access niche markets for Canadian livestock products?
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, as a
government we have taken a large number of measures to assist the cattle
industry. Our repositioning strategy is in part designed to create new
alternative markets around the world. That is why we invested $50 million
into a beef legacy fund to help with the marketing. As I have said on many
occasions, we will consider a whole host of options all of which will be
designed to help create additional markets for our beef and cattle around
the world.
Ms. Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk,
CPC): Mr. Speaker, that is not enough. Greater efforts must be made to
find new markets for Canadian cattle and livestock.
So far, the Liberal
government has only announced the resumption of live cattle trade with
Cuba, a country that bought an underwhelming $151,000 worth of live cattle
from us over the last 10 years.
When will the minister
stop making hollow announcements and start getting real results in
exporting Canadian livestock?
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, for
whatever reason, the hon. member has forgotten our re-establishment of
access into the Hong Kong market and our ability now through a protocol
that we signed in China for our genetic material. We are making good
progress in terms of the Japanese market. We are making good progress in
terms of the Taiwanese market.
May I suggest to the hon.
member that she concentrate on helping Canadian producers rather than
trying to score cheap political points here on the floor of the House.
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