For Immediate release:

January 22, 2004

Barrett calls for additional action on BSE

Kohler - In the wake of the second discovery of BSE in less than a year it is not realistic for cattle producers and other beef industry stakeholders to simply wait for the government to “solve” the BSE situation, according to Haldimand-Norfolk Brant MPP Toby Barrett.

“Farmers and their associations have to take action now,” said Barrett. “For example, the disposal of specified risk materials (SRM’s) is a costly new BSE related expense – cattlemen need action from the government immediately in the form of financial aid and research into new uses for such products and financial support for facilities to be built.”

At the Haldimand Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting last evening in Kohler Barrett raised a series of questions regarding compensation.

“Is there adequate support for I.D. tracking and traceability; Is there future money for the increasing costs of testing?” Barrett asked. “Are there dollars for the establishment of a cull/cow abbatoir; and are there dollars for marketing and consumer education?

“Just what is government’s responsibility regarding compensation and when will more money be flowing to our farmers in crisis?” Barrett stated.

With the discovery of a second case of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in North America, many are asking what has government done since the first discovery last May?

“Let’s be clear, our beef is safe to eat,” added Barrett. “However, what had Canada and the United States done since last May to accelerate beef testing for BSE? What restrictions were brought in on the use of meat and bonemeal in animal feed?”

Both Canada and the United States test only high-risk cattle for BSE. In 1997, Canada and the U.S. banned cattle feed made from the rendered by-products of other ruminants – sheep, goats or cattle. These products can presently be fed to hogs and poultry. Canada has just recently announced $92 million in additional funding for BSE surveillance and enhancement of cattle identification

Ontario is Canada’s second largest beef producer – with 20,000 cattlemen generating annual sales of $1 billion.