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BSE Ruling: Statements by the Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States


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WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The Embassy of Canada today released the following statements by Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Andy Mitchell and Ambassador to the United States Frank McKenna on the BSE ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals:

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STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE ANDY MITCHELL, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD ON THE RULING IN THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

OTTAWA, July 14, 2005 -- I join the Canadian livestock industry in welcoming the ruling delivered today in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. We are very pleased that the Court has overturned the preliminary injunction issued by the District Court of Montana. The USDA and the Government of Canada have long argued there is no basis in science to keep the border closed.

It has taken a lot of hard work, at all levels, in both of our countries to reach where we are today.

We will be working with the Canadian livestock industry and the USDA in the next few days to act on the decision.

The federal and provincial governments have been working closely with industry to address this important issue. In fact, provincial colleagues and I began our recent annual conference in Kananaskis, Alberta with a discussion and an analysis of contingency planning to address any possible outcome of the July 27th

For information: Elizabeth Whiting of Minister Mitchell’s office

613-759-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 613-759-7972 or 1-866-345-7972

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Frank McKenna, Ambassador of Canada to the United States, issued the following statement in response to the ruling by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals:

Science has finally had its day in court and justice for Canadian farmers has prevailed.

R-CALF needs to take a good look in the mirror in light of today’s unanimous ruling. R-CALF never had the science behind them, and now the Court has ruled against R-CALF.

Consumers, the Canadian and US cattle industry all benefit from this decision. R-CALF’s actions have brought much suffering to farmers, workers, and feedlot operators in Canada and thousands who depend on the cattle industry in the United States. In light of today’s decision, R-CALF should drop its case that it is bringing forward on July 27 and halt any further damage to the North American cattle industry.

For more information please contact Bernard Etzinger, Spokesperson, Canadian Embassy, Washington, 202-528-2276 or email: bernard.etzinger@international.gc.ca

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