The Rural Voice, 2004-05, Page 43News in Agriculture
Eby pledges to keep fighting on BSE
By Bonnie Gropp
The Canadian Cattlemen's
Association has not given up its fight
to re -open borders between Canada
and the United States.
That was the message brought to a
BSE update, hosted by the Huron
County Beef Producers, at the
Brussels, Morris and Grey
Community Centre on April 8.
Stan Eby, CCA president said
regaining markets is the priority:
"We believe in a free and open
market and are petitioning the federal
government to take a strong role by
ensuring there are enough resources,
meaning manpower to get the job
done."
Eby added that both the federal
and provincial government have been
working diligently to get the border
open.
Canada, he said, has been
classified as a minimal risk country
for BSE, meaning one animal in a
million in the national herd. This is
also the case with the States. which
Eby said has been advised that it
could show leadership in its dealings
with other minimal risk countries.
Eby stated, however, that it is
hoped the minimal risk will be
changed to two animals per million
this spring, as the increased
surveillance will ultimately result in
more findings of BSE.
One thing that has been
surprising, Eby said, is that despite
the safeguards Canada has, they have
not been treated differently than other
countries with BSE. "Now the move
is on to start initiatives for those with
firewalls in place."
On the positive side, Eby said that
processing numbers here have moved
up. "Packers are moving the product
that comes in the door and there are
23 countries that will take some
product."
Much of that is the offal, such as
the feet and tongue, which are not
eaten here.
As for as harmonizing trade with
the U.S., Eby noted that the
December 23 case of BSE in the
States started to change the situation.
as that country too found itself shut
out of the international market.
The U.S beef industry has not
been hurt as much as here because
Canada relies on exports much more.
Mark lshoy, general manager of
Gencor said that 10 per cent of the
total production of U.S. beef is
exported. while Canada exports 45
per cent.
Saying that the international
guidelines are being refreshed and
updated, Eby added. "it's important
to work with the U.S. to show
leadership to the world."
Processing is up 17 per cent over
last year. Consumption is up and
cattle and feeder placements are
down 23 per cent. Two weeks ago,
said Eby it was 17 cents a pound
Cheaper to finish cattle here than in
the U.S.
Should the border, open. the
sudden influx of cattle from Canada
should not be a problem. The market
in the States, Eby described as
"robust. We have been told that by
December there will be 725,000 extra
animals in Canada if the border
doesn't open. That's one week's kill
for the U.S. That number definitely
doesn't flood their market."
Eby said the lobby group has been
working with people in Washington.
"It's often difficult to know what
effect you're having with lobbying.
but we do know that if we're not
there, the rumours start."
The CCA must act now to reduce
vulnerability on export markets.
Also, Eby said. there needs to be
more competition on the processing
side of the industry.
The positive and loyal response of
consumers has been good, but. Eby
said, "we have to build on that."
The CCA is looking as w I -at
what will be done with specified
risk products -removed- from cattle in
processing and at optimizing the
value of a carcass.
Asked what CCA has planned if
the border doesn't open. Eby
explained that if it isn't open by
September plans are being drawn
together, for finances and the
possibility of increasing the
processing capacity here: "We hope
we can get the market functioning."
Banks. he said. have been asked
for leniency. "We feel they have to
be patient if we're all going to work
through this."
Eby also expressed optimism
regarding the new deputy minister of
agriculture. whose background is in
foreign trade. "We are looking for
changes on that basis."0
Many issues show rural/urban gap
By Ralph Pearce
Although not on the agenda at the
spring briefing of local policiticians
by the Perth County Federation of
Agriculture, March 27, one of the
recurring themes expressed
throughout the day was the growing
information gap between agriculture
and the predominantly urban
consumer.
A number of farmers, while
addressing concerns over various
items on the agenda, cited the rural -
urban divide as one of the larger
barriers to farming's sustainability.
That the urban consumer is largely
unaware of the origins of his or her
food. or the problems associated with
modern farming practices, is primary
cause for concern.
The points were raised, not in the
hopes of gaining government
support. but as an expression of the
growing sense of frustration being
felt by producers. and for the need
for action to bridge that ever -
widening gap — and soon.0
Deadline for the
next issue of
The Rural Voice
is May 19
MAY 2004 39