Agriculture Ministers Discuss Options For Beef Industry

Federal and provincial agriculture ministers met in Vancouver today to review a number of options to support the Canadian livestock industry in the wake of the BSE crisis. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy said the ministers are continuing to closely monitor the situation, and may meet again next week.

"We recognize the urgency of the situation, and the enormous difficulties facing producers," said Mr. Murphy.

Ministers reviewed proposals being submitted to the United States on re-opening the border to beef imports. "The first priority is to re-open the border as soon as possible," said Mr. Murphy. "Those proposals are now in the hands of U.S. authorities and we are awaiting their response."

Premiers of the western provinces have proposed a deficiency payment for producers in their respective provinces which would cover the difference between what producers are receiving and what they were before BSE was detected. They want the federal government to pay 90 percent of the cost of the program, but no decisions were reached. Ministers are encouraging livestock producers to continue marketing their cattle.

Mr. Murphy said he will be meeting with representatives of the Prince Edward Island Cattlemen's Association early next week to review the options.