For Immediate Release
May 19, 2005

Unionized meat inspectors could lead to another strike against beef farmers

Barrett joins Hardeman’s call for Agriculture Minister to take responsibility for his actions

Queen’s Park –Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP yesterday echoed comments in the legislature by PC Agriculture Critic Ernie Hardeman who asserted that allowing meat inspectors to join a union has put food safety in grave danger.

“Beef farmers who have spent the last two years reeling from the effects of BSE now face the fact that Ontairo Meat inspectors are in a position to strike bringing the processing of meat in provincial abattoirs to a halt,” stated Barrett. “This would not only jeopardize food safety, but also deliver yet another financial hit to already suffering beef farmers.”

Hardeman asked the Minister what he was going to do to help farmers, the provincial abattoirs and their employees when the meat inspectors go on strike? Agriculture Minister Peters did nothing in his response to re-assure farmers and meat processors or their employees that the McGuinty government would protect this industry during a public service work stoppage.

“What I hear from the Independent Meat processors is that you don’t consider Meat Inspection essential service and your essential services agreement only includes 16 meat inspectors,” MPP Hardeman asserted. “I also understand that these 16 meat inspectors won’t be ensuring the safety of the meat slaughter instead they will travel the province to make sure that not one of the 192 plants is conducting slaughter.”

Hardeman pointed out that the meat packers in this province were not interested in the Agriculture Minister’s opinion of previous governments; “what they would like is an answer, what are they supposed to do if, through no fault of their own, they cannot open their processing plant.”

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629

HANDSARD – WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005
MEAT INSPECTION

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): My question is to the Minister of Agriculture and Food. Minister, meat inspectors in Ontario are in a position to strike and will, in effect, bring the processing of meat and provincial abattoirs to a halt. By allowing meat inspection to become part of the union, you have actually put food safety in grave danger. This certainly is not what beef farmers who are already reeling from the effects of BSE need.

Minister, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Independent Meat Packers and Processors both expressed concern when you made a purely political move and brought meat inspectors back into the Ontario public service. Now that we are faced with the real possibility of a strike, we ask the Minister of Agriculture to take responsibility for the results of his actions. Minister, what are you going to do to help the farmers, the provincial abattoirs and their employees when the meat inspectors go on strike?

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Agriculture and Food): I’m very disappointed in the question, because there are ongoing negotiations that are taking place, and I think the member is being a little presumptuous.

I would say, when it comes to food safety, it has been a number-one priority in this government. Unlike the previous government, the previous minister who raced around back roads of Huron county, running away from reporters in dealing with food safety issues, we’re not afraid to run away from food safety issues, unlike a government that in 2001 passed the Food Safety and Quality Act and sat on it, and sat on it, and sat on it. It did not do anything for food safety in this province. They turned their back on food safety. We weren’t prepared to do that.

As well, we saw unprecedented turnover in meat inspectors in this province. In excess of 30% of our meat inspectors were turning over because the previous government had privatized that service. We recognize the importance of that service, and we brought those individuals back into the public sector.

Mr. Hardeman: I just want to point out, the meat packers in this province are not interested in ...

L148-1510-18 follows

(Hon Mr. Peters)
We recognize the importance of that service, and we brought those individuals back into the public sector.

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Mr. Hardeman: I just want to point out that the meat packers in this province are not interested in your opinion of previous governments; what they would like is an answer, what they’re supposed to do if, through no fault of their own, they cannot open their processing plant.

Minister, the Ontario Independent Meat Packers have asked you to deem meat inspection an essential service. What I hear from the independent meat processors is that you don’t consider meat inspection an essential service and your essential service agreement only includes 16 meat inspectors. I understand that these 16 meat inspectors won’t be ensuring the safety of meat slaughtered; instead, they will travel the province and make sure that not one of the 192 plants is conducting slaughter.
Minister, again, what are you going to do to help our farmers and meat processors to avoid financial devastation if there is a work stoppage in the civil service? Could you please answer the meat processors in the province on what you intend to do if the strike puts them out of business. Mr. Minister, if you would please help them and inform them. Don’t tell us what you think, tell us what you’re going to do.

Hon. Mr. Peters: I would like to refer this question to the Chair of Management Board, please.

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): Let me inform the member opposite what we are doing. We very much value our public service. We thought it was a big mistake to privatize the meat inspectors, and we brought them back in.

Where we are putting our time and attention is to reaching a fair and equitable agreement with our employees. That is where I’m devoting my energy.

As I say, we value our public servants. We are dedicated to reaching a fair collective agreement with them and we’re dedicated to, at the same time, preserving the safety of our meat in the province, the safety of our institutions.

I would just say to the member, it was a big mistake to privatize those inspectors. We have brought them back into the public service. We are dedicating our time and energy to reaching a fair and equitable agreement with our employees, and that is what we intend to do.