For Immediate Release:
July 27, 2005

Barrett talks coal, cattle and tobacco with US Ambassador

U.S. Consulate -- MPP Toby Barrett joined Opposition Leader John Tory, the Ontario Cattlemen Association and several of his PC caucus colleagues in a meeting with US Ambassador David Wilkins this morning to discuss ongoing BSE concerns that have plagued both countries. Barrett also raised the issues of tobacco and clean coal technology with Ambassador Wilkins.

“This is a North American problem that is developing into a North American solution,” said Barrett after meeting with the Ambassador. “We have built a continental cattle market and we must continue to find solutions that are acceptable for Canada, the United States, and Mexico.”

Barrett’s meeting with the US Ambassador follows a meeting with U.S. Consul General Jessica LeCroy a few weeks ago. Ms. LeCroy also attended today’s meeting. Since then, an injunction against Canadian beef imports granted by a Montana judge was reversed by the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In its written decision, the appeals court asserted that the Montana judge had made a “legal error.”

“At this point, a continued ban on Canadian beef would have been more than a legal error. It would be an error in interpreting the science that clearly says our beef is safe,” Barrett pointed out. “I applaud the USDA’s designation of Canada as a minimal risk region. Ranchers and farmers have done a great job ensuring that our cattle are healthy. The United States Department of Agriculture knows this, and that is why we are moving back towards a continental market.”

Barrett also raised the issues of tobacco and clean coal technology with US Ambassador Wilkins.

“I stressed our mutual problem of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes,” Barrett explained. “Ambassador Wilkins also reiterated the significant US investment in pollution-control and greenhouse gas abatement.”

Barrett cautions that the Canada-U.S. border is not completely open for cattle trade as of yet. Cattle over 30 months of age are not permitted to cross the border, as they are considered to be at a higher risk of BSE.

“From what I’ve learned from Ontario’s dairy farmers, we need to continue working towards complete normalization of the cattle trade,” Barrett pointed out after the meeting. “We need to continue to work with the Americans, for all cattle to move freely within our North American borders. That includes dairy and beef breeding stock, and cows over 30 months of age.”

Those in attendance at the U.S. Consulate included:
- U.S. Ambassador John Wilkins
- U.S. Consul General Jessica LeCroy
- P.C. Opposition Leader John Tory
- O.C.A. President Ian McKillop
- O.C.A. Vice President Gord Hardy
- O.C.A. Director Dave Stewart
- MPP Ernie Hardeman
- MPP Bill Murdoch
- MPP Ted Chudleigh
- MPP Toby Barrett

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett: (519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629