My Speeches
Supporting market access for livestock and meat industry
The Speaker: The hon. Member for Battle River-Wainwright.
Market Access for Cattle
Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express
support for and recognition of the importance of market access for
our livestock and meat industry. Though there may be some
opportunities to grow domestically, they’re not significant enough
so that we can only count on that for our industry to survive and be
profitable. The global markets hold endless opportunities, however.
Alberta’s industry must continue a collaborative approach throughout
Canada.
I also rise, however, Mr. Speaker, to express some concerns. The
National Farmers Union of Canada, or NFU for short, is an organization
claiming to have the best interest of Canada’s farm families in
mind, and it appears to be cozying up to R-CALF, an organization
that has repeatedly – repeatedly – tried to destroy our cattle industry.
The National Farmers Union representatives were recently quoted as
saying: “I can totally understand and defend R-CALF in public now.
We need to be allies with R-CALF.”
R-CALF has repeatedly tried to close the U.S. border to Canadian
cattle. It’s troubling that the National Farmers Union would support
R-CALF. What is even more concerning is the suggestion in this
House from members across the way that we take advice from the
National Farmers Union on how to save Alberta’s industry. It does
not make sense to take advice from an organization that supports
another organization that seeks to close our borders to our industry.
The Alberta livestock and meat strategy was designed to return the
industry to profitability, Mr. Speaker. It has the support of the
federal government, and we are already seeing some results. More
market access means more demand, and that will result in money in
producers’ pockets. I encourage all members to continue to support
the strategy and recognize the beneficial impact it is already having
on our industry in local markets and markets abroad.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
All Speeches:
- Bill 58 Corrections Amendment Act 2009 - Nov 29, 2009
- Second Reading, Bill 58: Corrections Amendment Act - Nov 03, 2009
- Bill 43 Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 3) - May 28, 2009
- H1N1 Virus in Central Alberta Pig Herd - May 04, 2009
- Second Reading of Bill 43 Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 2) - Apr 29, 2009
- Bill 43 Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 2) - Apr 28, 2009
- Alberta - Canada Growing Forward Program - Apr 28, 2009
- Bill 24 Animal Health Amendment Act, 2009 - Apr 21, 2009
- National Soil Conservation Week - Apr 21, 2009
- Bill 8 - Feeder Association Gaurantee Act, Committee of the Whole - Apr 15, 2009
- Supporting market access for livestock and meat industry - Mar 17, 2009
- Agricultural Safety Week - Mar 11, 2009
- Bill 24 Animal Health Amendment Act, 2009 - Mar 10, 2009
- Livestock and Meat Strategy - Mar 03, 2009
- Committee of the Whole - Agriculture Financial Services Amendment Act, 2008 - Nov 06, 2008
- Committee of the Whole - Meat Inspection Amendment Act, 2008 - Nov 06, 2008
- National 4-H Month - Nov 06, 2008
- Members Statement - Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy - Oct 20, 2008
- 13 Ways to Kill a Community - Oct 11, 2008
