Angus And Martin Demand Action On BSE

At issue is the continued refusal of the United States to open the border to Canadian beef. American beef producers are getting record prices thanks to the continued ban on Canadian imports. Angus says the crisis has nothing to do with health concerns and everything to do with domestic politics of George Bush in an election year. "This crisis demands a long-term plan that will rescue our Canadian domestic food economy from the politics of George Bush. We need to develop a 'Made in Canada' solution to restore our rural economy. Canada needs to develop its own slaughterhouse capacity so that we are not dependent on the political whims of U.S. lawmakers or the few U.S. agri-giants that control our domestic beef economy." Angus and Martin have vowed to push for a comprehensive solution to the beef crisis including. In the short term farmers need a workeable financial strategy to offset the devestating losses to date. As well, Canada needs to develop a ³Made in Canada² solution for beef. This would see a concerted effort to develop regional slaughter and processing capacity in rural Canada. "BSE should be a wake up call for all of rural Canada. Nowhere is the Made in Canada strategy for beef more keenly felt than here in Northern Ontario. In the riding of Timmins James Bay, agriculture is a $140 million a year business employing up to 2000 people in direct and spin-off jobs. Are we going to let that economy slide down the drain? Let¹s learn from this crisis and develop a longterm strategy to keep jobs and rural families in the north." Charlie Angus Federal NDP MP /Deputé Timmins James bay For more information contact: Charlie Angus office: (705) 268-6400 Cell: (705) 648-9861