The Rural Voice, 2004-05, Page 41News in Agriculture
Schellenberger blasts Liberals over BSE
John Wilkinson, (left) and Gary Schellenberger (right) heard briefs from the
Perth County Federation of Agriculture, led by President Tim Shute (centre).
By Ralph Pearce programs that come to relieve
It came as no surprise that the first hardships in the agricultural industry
order of business when farm leaders have to make it to the farmgate," he
met with local politicians at the Perth said, noting the government's pledge
County Federation of Agriculture of "up to $80 per head of cattle" had
annual Spring Briefing with local been virtually negated by a price
Members of Parliament, March 27 in drop of nearly the same amount at the
Sebringville was Ottawa's current time of the announcement.
status on the BSE issue. He was also critical of the cull
Mert Schneider, a producer from cow relief program, which provided
North Perth, read from selected roughly $192 per cull cow, yet
passages in the briefing, and noted didn't require the cows to be
that in spite of the federal budget slaughtered. "1 think that's wrong
(handed down March 23) and its (and) what our program pledged,
relief provisions for those affected by was to depopulate 700,000 head of
the crisis, producers in the beef and cattle and pay $500 per head plus
dairy industry remain in dire straits. any fees."
Gary Schellenberger,,MP for Schellenberger also levelled
Perth -Middlesex said he didn't criticism at the federal Liberals for
believe the money being offered by giving farmers false hope on when
the federal Liberals would actually the border might be open to live
reach those producers who need it the animal exports. He stated his belief
most, unfortunately. that the border should have been
"There have to be some opened according to the best
safeguards to make sure that any scientific information available, not
political posturing. He also called for
a forensic audit of packing
companies and retailers that, at the
time, continued to sell lesser cuts of
beef or hamburger at high prices.
And he roundly criticized federal
agriculture minister Bob Speller for
what he called a "useless trip" to
Asia, earlier this year, saying it was
done merely to assure those
countries that Canadian beef is safe.
Instead, said Schellenberger. the
drive should be to create a slaughter
facility that conforms to exact
specfications laid out by Asian
customers, including testing of every
animal. Once the facility is built.
Asian or Japanese food quality
inspectors would be invited to tour
the site, with a guarantee of
cleanliness according to specified
standards. The finished beef
products could then be sold to a
premium market.
"Let's send the finished product
out — it's safe." stated
Schellenberger, dismissing concerns
that once the border is opened, any
such processing plant might become
uncompetitive.
Schellenburger took full
advantage of the opportunity to
promote the Conservative Party of
Canada's new agricultural policy,
including a brief rundown of safety
net programs, support for supply
management and continued
strengthening of rural communities.0
PCFA worries CAIS could bring trade actions
Although the CAIS program has the prepared brief, criticizing both the Since it was first announced. CAIS
been promoted extensively through a CAIS program and the federal has drawn considerable criticism and
series of province -wide information Agricultural Policy Framework, calling derision from producers, for its strict
meetings, a significant number of them vague and uncertain. guidelines and contribution levels. Of
producers have voiced their concerns "Production insurance components the $250 million in relief funding
and dislikes with the federal program. of the APF remain incompletely announced by Agriculture and Agri -
And the Perth County Federation of defined," said Biesinger, noting the Food Canada just prior to the federal
Agriculture's spring briefing of their need to accommodate livestock as well budget on March 25. access to those
local MP and MPP March 27, was no as grain and horticultural producers funds are guaranteed only by
different, as concerns were raised over within the context of the document. participating in the CAIS program.
the potential for disputes over trade- "The environmental, food safety, Cor Vanderpryt, a cash crop grower
distorting impacts and the farmer's research and renewal aspects ... from the Dublin area. said CAIS won't
required commitment for participation remain inadequately defined. These help his operation, and that it would he
in the program. four pillars will entail substantial better to stay with crop insurance as a
Producer Larry Biesinger read from private and public spending. hedge against poor prices.0
MAY 2004 37
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