For immediate release:
Sept 14, 2004

MPP Barrett asks, “where’s the beef” in Ontario BSE funding

Agriculture Minister fails to respond to Federal funding announcement

Woodstock – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is calling on the Ontario Government to step up to the plate following the recent federal funding announcement of $488 million to support Canada’s livestock industry.

Barrett commented during a visit to the Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, where he and PC Agriculture Critic – and Oxford MPP – Ernie Hardeman spoke with a number of concerned farmers.

“Given the Federal announcement of close to half a billion dollars, and given Alberta’s immediate response in announcing close to a quarter billion in new BSE funds, clearly the ball is now in Ontario’s court,” said Barrett. “It is incumbent on the Ontario government to step-up forthwith and help bolster a three-pronged BSE strategy aimed at reopening the U.S. border, increasing slaughter capacity, and expanding export market access for beef, both on-the-hoof or in-the-box.”

When asked at the Farm Show about further Ontario funding for cattlemen, Agriculture Minister Steve Peters was unable to provide a direct answer as to when, or if, beef farmers could expect provincial dollars to flow.

Both Barrett and Hardeman support the agriculture policy of leadership hopeful Jim Flaherty when it comes to supporting Ontario beef farmers. Flaherty has pledged to fight for Ontario farmers who are struggling to salvage their operations in light of the devastating American action to close the border to Canadian beef.

Barrett further strongly advocates the Flaherty plan for the formation of a crisis management team, not only for beef, but for other commodities threatened by events/pressures beyond their control.

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