CONSUMERS URGED TO CHOOSE CANADIAN
BEEF
BROCKVILLE _ Just where does this beef come
from? That's a question Ontario consumers should
be asking every time they purchase beef products,
believes Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
One of the suggestions offered at a recent
information meeting involving more than 250
area cattlemen in Lombardy was that everyone
_ producers and consumers
alike _ have a responsibility to help market
Canadian beef.
The meeting was designed to provide information
for producers on available government programs
to help beef farmers cope with the ravages of
closed borders that followed the announcement
that one Canadian cow out west tested positive
for BSE (Mad Cow's disease). The meeting was
also an opportunity for beef producers to describe
to Ontario and federal politicians the economic
threat they are facing as a result of the closed
borders.
While the recent announcement by the United
States government that some animal products
will be accepted for import by the end of the
month, the crisis for farmers, feedlot operators
and a wide range of other services associated
with beef marketing chain is far from over.
Some farmers suggested Canada should close
its borders to the countries that have refused
to accept their beef imports but it was pointed
out that this step would not only be illegal
under the rules of the World Trade Organization
(WTO) but would be counterproductive in the
long run.
"Closing borders would help open borders
for us," government officials responded,
a remark that was echoed by a number of people
familiar with WTO rules.
The suggestion that caught the attention of
Runciman came near the end of the meeting. While
Canadians have shown tremendous support by continuing
to eat beef products, what many consumers are
eating is beef being imported into Canada from
countries such as the United States and Argentina.
What is needed is a commitment by consumers
to choose Canadian beef. One farmer suggested
that they should start erecting signs asking
consumers to choose Canadian beef.
"If we all put up two or three signs each,
that would help," the woman said.
"We should go even further," said
Runciman. "We should ask businesses where
their beef comes from and buy only Canadian
beef. That means asking questions of butchers,
supermarkets, frozen food stores and even restaurants.
"I am not advocating a boycott or anything
like that; I am suggesting that people of Ontario
and all Canadians make a conscious effort to
choose beef produced in Canada," he said.
One thing that has come through loud and clear
during the BSE crisis is just how fragile the
Canadian beef industry is.
"The idea that Canadian farmers are losing
their business and their homes while we think
we are helping by continuing to buy beef doesn't
make a lot of sense if that beef is coming from
other countries," he said. "We must
strengthen the Canadian cattle industry by being
its best customers."
He said businesses can help by posting signs
assuring customers the beef they are getting
comes from Canadian producers.
"I am going to start looking for these
types of signs before I buy any beef products
and I hope other Ontario consumers will too,"
he said. "Even if all the borders open
tomorrow, I still think it's crucial we start
doing more to support our Canadian beef industry."
