2003An open letter to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from the CFA
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8,
Dear Prime Minister Chrétien,
On behalf of the members of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), I am writing to formally request your assistance in political and diplomatic efforts to re-open international borders to Canadian beef. Farm groups have been vocal in expressing the need for political leadership to negotiate border issues and Federation members are united in the call for added government attention to this cause.
To this end, the CFA National Council members passed a resolution on July 25 during its Semi-Annual Meeting to have the BSE crisis declared a national disaster in order to secure additional resources to maximize diplomatic efforts and help mitigate the damage to cattle and other ruminant industries. A copy of the resolution follows this letter.
As you are well aware, the discovery of a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on May 20 has devastated Canada’s beef industry. The government’s swift scientific response to ensure food safety, animal health and disease control has been exemplary, yet this hasn’t reduced the catastrophic economical blow dealt to cattle producers and others in the beef industry.Losses are estimated at $11 million each day due to export bans imposed by 30 countries. Then there is the staggering number of job losses that mounts higher and higher as the crisis continues. Human Resources Development Canada reported in the end of July that more than 4,200 jobs were lost due to the BSE outbreak.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is grateful for the announcement of a $460-million compensation package for beef producers but it is clear that market access is the key element required for the industry to stay afloat. However, given the continuation of the losses, the amount of compensation will have to be reconsidered. The BSE situation has the potential to permanently alter the entire agriculture sector and the CFA, representing more than 200,000 family farms, has vowed not to abandon the cattle industry when it desperately needs assistance.
Perhaps the most common point of frustration for farmers comes out of the fact that certain international governments haven’t clearly communicated exactly what is needed for the border to open. Dedicated industry leaders have taken initiative to seek out this information. During the CFA’s summer council meeting in Charlottetown last month, farm leaders met with their U.S. counterparts to discuss options and garner support for opening the border to Canadian livestock and meat products. In Montreal, CFA representatives spoke with Japanese farm leaders during the International Farm Leaders Forum, held in conjunction with the WTO Mini-Ministerial meeting. CFA representatives are also working with the International Federation of Agricultural Producers to make the facts of this situation known.
An opportunity exists for a delegation of national political leaders to directly request details and timelines from our trading partners so that Canadian beef producers can get back into business. The CFA asks that the Prime Minister take on this approach, since as of yet there have been no reliable outcomes that will move talks forward.
The Federation recognizes the ongoing efforts of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief to have Canada’s beef accepted by other countries as it has been proven safe and of highest quality. However, the crisis is entering its third month and with no definite end in site, CFA members feel more visible government action is merited.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this urgent matter. I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,Bob Friesen, CFA President
Resolution : BSE
(from the floor at the CFA National Council Meeting, July 2003)
Whereas the beef producers in Canada are trapped by having no access to markets, no access to money from programs, and have ongoing costs of operation,
Whereas, there is an impact on many other sectors of food production in Agriculture ie. Pork, poultry, dairy, grains, etc.
Whereas, there is no way of knowing how long this crisis will continue
Whereas, the effects of an assistance program for cattle and other ruminant producers must aim to remain neutral to other commodities in the marketplace,
Whereas, producers need to be consulted,
Be it resolved that Canada recognize this as a national disaster and develop and implement long and short term strategies and programs to mitigate the damage to the cattle and other ruminant industries.
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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.
Contact:
Bob Friesen, CFA President, (204) 724-0824 (cell)
Brigid Rivoire, CFA Executive Director, (613) 236-3633
