These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
R-Calf Injunction
Mr. James Bezan
(Selkirk—Interlake, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it has been a full two years
since the U.S. border closed to Canadian beef, cattle and other livestock.
Injunctions were demanded by the special interest group, R-CALF. Judge
Cebull, who was sympathetic to their cause, has added insult to injury by
granting them.
Farmers and ranchers
across the country are waiting for the other shoe to drop. On May 9,
R-CALF filed for another injunction to ban Canadian beef.
Why has the agriculture
minister never aggressively tried to fight these injunctions that are
strangling Canadian farmers and ranchers?
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, clearly we
have been working with the USDA and in the U.S. court system to ensure
that the Canadian position is made clear.
I have had three meetings
by phone with the agriculture secretary, including as recently as two
hours ago. We are determined to work with the Americans to fight these
injunctions. We are determined to work with them whatever the outcome may
be.
Mr. James Bezan
(Selkirk—Interlake, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have wasted two
years under three agriculture ministers who should have been aggressive on
this file and taken action under NAFTA and WTO.
While the current
agriculture minister stalls on taking the appropriate trade and legal
action, farmers and ranchers are drowning in red ink. Producers are
worried about their future if Judge Cebull and R-CALF close the border to
boxed beef.
Where is the agriculture
minister's plan to farmers and ranchers and to open markets if R-CALF
closes the border again?
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, obviously
we want to see regularization of trade with the United States, but the
hon. member misses some important facts. We have moved the United States
from being in opposition to a border opening to being our allies in
getting the border open.
In 2004 we have been able
to achieve 90% of the trade in beef and beef products with the United
States that we had in 2002. We have been able to increase our slaughter
capacity by 30%. We have provided assistance to the producers to the tune
of $2 billion.
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