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Canadian Sheep Federation delegates return from BSE mission to
Washington
October
10, 2003
[Ottawa
October 4st, 2003] Delegates from the Canadian Sheep Federation recently
travelled to Washington to meet with key American groups to urge for a
science-based approach to reopening the border to live sheep and lambs.
The delegation was comprised of Randy Eros, Chair, CSF and other members
of the CSF Board of Directors including André Trépanier,
Vice Chair (Quebec), Ian Clark (Alberta) and John Hemsted (Ontario). Also
joining the delegation were Cathy Lennon, General Manager of the Ontario
Sheep Marketing Agency and Jay Lewis, an Ontario producer.
"We were very well received by the American industry and government
officials", reported Eros. "We spoke about the devastating effects
the border closing has had on our industry. We expressed the need to revise
policies to reflect the fact that sheep and lambs do not carry or transmit
BSE and should not be included in BSE import bans. They understand that
continuing the restriction on live Canadian sheep and lambs will facilitate
greater imports of New Zealand and Australian meat into the US. We are
definitely on their radar screen now. They were very supportive of taking
a science-based approach to trade decisions. Now, we will have to wait
and see what their next steps will be."
The Canadian Sheep Federation will continue to maintain a close relationship
with its American counterparts and will be attending an upcoming meeting
of the American Sheep Industry Executive Committee later in October.
The Canadian Sheep Federation is a national, non-profit organization that
represents all Canadian sheep producers. Its mission is further the viability,
expansion and prosperity of the Canadian sheep and wool industry.
For more information on the Canadian Sheep Identification Program, please
contact the Canadian Sheep Federation at:
(613) 248-8084
1-888-684-7739
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