These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
BSE in Quebec
Ms. Denise Poirier-Rivard
(Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, BQ): Mr. Speaker, yesterday morning,
the Quebec Union des producteurs agricoles reminded us that the mad cow
crisis has had serious consequences and, to date, producers in Quebec have
lost $280 million, losses that existing programs have not compensated.
Why is the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food not amending existing programs to bring them
more in line with the reality facing Quebec producers?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we have
taken a number of measures in order to assist producers in Quebec and
indeed right across Canada.
As I mentioned in an
answer to a previous question, we have been able to increase slaughter
capacity in this country by nearly 30%. We have provided income support of
well over $1 billion to producers. We have intervened in the marketplace
through our set-aside programs to see a recovery in the price.
There is additional work
that needs to be done, as the hon. member has pointed out, and we will
move in that respect as we go forward.
[Translation]
Ms. Denise Poirier-Rivard
(Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, BQ): Mr. Speaker, the Quebec
government has already done its part to secure financing for the Colbex
abattoir. The federal government must do its share to ensure that
producers get a floor price for their cull cows.
Why is the minister not
announcing the federal contribution to this financing?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I have
made it clear on several occasions in talking to the UPA in respect of the
slaughter capacity in Quebec that if there is any proposal to increase
that slaughter capacity, we have programming to assist in that respect.
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