| | Final Report
Mission to Minneapolis and Washington,D.C.
February 7 – 10, 2005
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Purpose of travel:
Doug Horner, Minister of AAFRD, led a mission to Minneapolis and Washington, DC to meet with beef industry officials, US elected leaders and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Administration staff and participate with the Canadian Federal / Provincial Ministers of Agriculture to discuss border re-opening for Canadian cattle and beef. Minister Doug Horner discussed bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) related issues and advocated re-opening the market for Canadian / Alberta cattle and beef which have been banned since May 2003 following the discovery of the BSE incident. He also gained a deeper appreciation of the political and economic factors influencing the ban and opportunities for the industry.
Join Federal Minister Mitchell, Federal-Provincial Ministers Mission to Washington, DC for the same purpose as above.
Overview:
The Honourable Doug Horner, Minister of AAFRD, led the mission to Minneapolis to meet with Cargill and Washington, DC to meet with US elected leaders, Senior Administration officials, industry executives, beef industry organizations and Canadian Embassy staff between February 8 and February 10, 2005.
Minister Horner discussed various aspects of the cattle and beef industry including among others animal health, regulations and risk mitigation measures, trade issues and advocated the need for early re-opening of the US border to Canadian cattle and beef.
This mission was successful in meeting its objectives as below:
Mission Objectives:
- Advocate science based resolutions to the BSE related border closures.
- Review with Canadian Cattlemen’s Association / Alberta Barley Producers general strategy with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association officials, approaches and advocacy of Alberta position in market re-opening with US Senators and House Members.
- Canada/Alberta position on Bluetongue (BT) / anaplasmosis.
- Listen and advice on issues particular to interest of US Senators and House Members - e.g. breeding stock for dairy cattle.
- Gain better understanding and support re: Final Rule, with Administration and Politicians discussed R-Calf and American Meat Institutes law suits.
- Discuss and advice Alberta legal council of Canada’s and Alberta’s role in legal process.
- Gain better appreciation of approaches to development of Canadian / Alberta industry challenges and policy responses.
Results:
- In Minneapolis met with Cargill and discussed various industry issues including research and investment in Discovery Place at the University of Alberta.
- Met with key elected officials, or their representatives, including Senators Ken Salazar, Colorado, Lisa Murkowski, Alaska; Conrad Burns, Montana; Randy Neugebauer, Texas; Devin Nunes, California; Michael Conaway, Texas; Jim Costa, California; Dennis Cardoza. Advocated support for Final Rule. Met with J.B. Penn, Undersecretary USDA to discuss Administration’s position and strategy re: implementation of final rule, including further rules on cattle and meat from cattle over 30 months of age and breeding stock.
- Met with Clarie Reade, Washington’s legal council for Alberta on various lawsuits and advice on meetings with Senators, House Members and officials.
- Met with and discussed situation and outlook with Canadian Embassy officials and industry representatives.
- While BSE, the Final Rule, animal disease, mitigation measures, feed regulations were the main theme, other Canada / US relations and issues were also discussed based on interests of the parties engaged, e.g. Alberta / Montana relations, BT / Anaplasmosis, dog food, breeding stock, the US / Canada / Mexico Accord.
- Discussed the Canadian BSE situation with Federal Minister Mitchell and other Provincial Ministers, opportunities and strategies.
Delegation:
Honourable Doug Horner, AAFRD
Barry Mehr, Deputy Minister, AAFRD
Brian Rhiness, Assistant Deputy Minister, AAFRD (Minneapolis only)
Jason Krips, Executive Assistant to Minister |
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