News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2004

(OTTAWA) - Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Bob Friesen today offered his congratulations to Quebec producers in securing an arrangement that will see producers receive $.42 per pound for their cull cows. The arrangement comes through the acquisition of the Colbex-Levinoff abattoir following intense protests and negotiations this week.

'Quebec producers, through the leadership of the Union des Producteurs d'Agricole, the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, and the Fédération des producteurs de bovines du Québec, demonstrated what can be accomplished through solidarity of action,' said Friesen.

The abattoir, situated in Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover, buys approximately 90 per cent of cull cows in Quebec. Since the outbreak of a single case of BSE in May 2003 and the closure of the American border, the price of cull cows has plummeted with packers enjoying a large profit margin. Earlier this week, Quebec farmers blockaded access to the abattoir in protest over low prices offered to producers and sought to have the Provincial government adopt legislation that would set a floor price for the cull cows.

'We talk about the need for producer empowerment in the marketplace - this is clearly it in action,' said Friesen. 'While the push continues for the real solution to this problem - to open the border and resume access to U.S. markets, I would encourage farm groups in all provinces to follow the example set in Quebec in working together to regain market share.'

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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.