FEDERAL DECISION ABANDONS BEEF PRODUCERS

The federal government's arbitrary decision to end the BSE Recovery Program on August 31st will leave many Saskatchewan producers without any compensation.

The BSE Recovery Program was initially put in place to help Canada's livestock industry survive the loss of export markets caused by the discovery of a single animal infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on May 20th. At the time, the federal and provincial governments had agreed to work as a team for the benefit of all producers.

"Mr. Vanclief's decision to end the program early treats beef producers in Saskatchewan – and across Canada – as second class citizens," Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Clay Serby said. "Many producers hurt by BSE will be left without any form of compensation when the program ends."

There were an estimated 900,000 animals on feed in Canada when export markets closed on May 20th. In Saskatchewan, home to 13 per cent of the animals, producers were able to access less than five per cent of the program.

"All Canadian producers deserve fair access to compensation," Serby said. "The program should remain in place until those impacted by the loss of export markets are able to get their animals to slaughter."

Serby also called on Minister Vanclief to reverse his decision to link the trade implications of BSE with the new business risk management programs of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

"International trade is clearly a federal responsibility," Serby said. "Discussions dealing with the loss of export markets and the resulting compensation for producers have no place in the development of the APF."

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-4031