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2009 Jun 15 (Mon)
H1N1 Virus in Central Alberta Pig Herd
Kevin Taft stresses the importance that consumers be aware H1N1 cannot be transferred by the consumption of pork. He also urges the delay and reconsideration of Bill 43 during this crisis.
Alberta Hansard, May 4, 2009
Dr. Taft: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. China, Ukraine, and South Korea have all banned Alberta pork as a result of the spreading H1N1 influenza. Alberta pigs, as I think we all know in this Assembly, have tested positive, but we also all know it has to be stressed that the influenza cannot be transferred to humans from the consumption of pork and that Alberta pork is safe to eat. My first question is to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. How is this
minister working with Alberta pork producers to co-ordinate efforts and ensure that Alberta’s pork exports are not further hurt by misconceptions about the H1N1 influenza?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mr. Groeneveld: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. It certainly is a good question because it sure is an issue for our pork producers out there today. I can guarantee the hon. Member for Edmonton-Riverview that from the very moment that swine flu was announced, we worked with the pork people on contacting all the producers, making sure their biosecurity was up to speed. I don’t think we had to do that. I think they were there ahead of us. But it certainly is an
issue, and we continue to work with them as we move through this.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Dr. Taft: Thanks. Again to the same minister: does this minister recognize that in situations such as these industry councils such as Alberta Pork play an important role in protecting export markets?
Mr. Groeneveld: Well, of course they do, but we have to work together. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we have to work with the federal government. We have to work with CFIA. We have to have all our ducks in a row. We work with these people every day to make sure that those are the protocols that we have in place.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Dr. Taft: Well, thanks, Mr. Speaker. We all realize that Alberta Beef Producers played a huge role in the BSE crisis. We probably expect the same from Alberta Pork. To the same minister: since making check-offs on pork refundable, which Bill 43 would do, weakens the pork industry at a time when it needs strength and unity to face a crisis, will the minister delay Bill 43 until all its effects can be thought through?
Mr. Groeneveld: Mr. Speaker, why was I not surprised with that question after the set-up from the last question? Maybe give me a little time to think about this.
Of course, what this will do for the pork industry, as the beef industry, as the other associations: they will have to become more accountable. They’ll have to think out of the box. They’ll probably have to come up with some new ideas to make sure that it works for all their producers, every one of them in there, and they will not lose any money in the check-off procedure.
Date: Mon Jun 15 14:51:48 MDT 2009
changed by: Rebecca
IP: 199.213.91.1
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