Our Beef Must Move

Remarks by the Hon. David Kilgour,

Member of Parliament for Edmonton Southeast and

Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific

to the Beef Rally at Memorial Centre, Red Deer

August 23, 2003

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Gathered today are representatives from the Beef Industry who, over the last 10 years, have worked to make our industry the safest in the world.  We have elected people from different parties who have united to lobby industries and governments abroad.  We have citizens and families who have rallied behind our beef producers and supported their products-settling for nothing less than 100% Alberta Beef. 

The sum of these parts is a community, and when this community says, "Get off the Fence and Open the Border," we say it loudly and we say it strongly.  We will not be ignored. 

Our efforts have resulted in the partial opening of the US and Mexican borders.  This is real progress given that the US and Mexico are our largest beef customers, purchasing a combined $2 billion annually worth of Canadian beef products.

The partial opening represents approximately 50% of our beef sales to the United States.  Resumed trade to the US alone is estimated to generate $700 million.  In addition to these revenues, the opening of the US border, even if only partial, signals to the rest of the world that our beef is safe.  Mexico's border opened after the US announcement, and numerous other countries indicated willingness to re-open their borders once the US ban was lifted. 

North American confidence in our product is an important negotiating point that can be used with the Japanese- the third largest consumer of our beef products, and a large consumer of the cattle we export to the United States.  The reality that our beef is among the safest in the world was a key message that I delivered during a trip to Japan in early July- almost immediately after the Japanese government announced that it would be requiring the country of origin of all beef imports to be clearly labeled. 

My purpose in meeting with senior legislators and officials in Tokyo and in other major cities was on outlining the many steps we have taken- both in recent years and since the discovery of our single case of BSE- to enhance our already first-class food inspection system.  I emphasized that all decisions should be based on science and international standards that we have achieved and surpassed. 

The partial re-opening has helped revive an industry on the brink of disaster, but the crisis is not over.  The trade in live cattle remains blocked.  This represents a huge blow to our beef industry given that in 2002, more than half a million head of live cattle were shipped from Alberta alone to the U.S..  More than 28 countries maintain their bans on our products.  Even with the partial opening, there will still be an oversupply of cattle because our domestic meat packing industry will not be able to process all the remaining animals.  Our producers will still struggle to compensate for the estimated $11 million they lost every day during the total ban. 

No one should forget that Alberta's largest agricultural sector is still experiencing a major crisis.  Representatives from all levels of government have continued to deliver the message that our beef is safe.  The Prime Minister has taken the issue up with the Japanese Prime Minister and with several representatives from the United States.  Face to face meetings between agricultural ministers will continue to take place, officials at Canadian embassies abroad are still representing your interests, and members of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are spreading the message that we have some of the highest safety standards in the world. 

Despite the progress we hope to make, compensation for the lost days remains an issue.  The federal government has pledged $190 million to aid our cattle producers, and various provincial governments have done the same, with Alberta's government matching federal aid. 

This community, and Albertans generally, have shown incredible support for our industry.  Events like this will help keep the issue in the minds of Canadians, and help keep the pressure on. 

Congratulations to all of you for being here today, and lending your voices to an important call.