PM beefs at U.S. ban

[CHIMO]

OTTAWA?Prime Minister Paul Martin says American special interest groups are blocking a solution to the mad cow crisis and warned that Canadians are planning to fight back.
"Special interests in the United States are blocking your government from a joint solution," Martin said, pointing out that the closed border is threatening the existence of an integrated North American cattle industry that has functioned effectively for years.
"Beef prices (in the U.S.) are at an all-time high because Canadian beef is no longer coming in, and (small cattle producers) are enjoying very huge profits," he said. "Obviously, in a year in which there is a U.S. election, (in November) there is huge pressure being brought to essentially keep that border closed. The problem is if this persists, decades of investment in an integrated industry will simply unwind."
"If the border does not open, then that processing capacity is going to go and start major shipments to Japan and Korea, who are your major markets."

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1089238210665&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154

[CHIMO]

1. Next Step

Western premiers push Ottawa on mad cow dispute

nuvik, NWT ? Western premiers are calling on the federal government to be more aggressive about dealing with the U.S. government on the ongoing mad cow crisis.
"I think being more assertive is crucial in resolving this dispute and getting the border open," Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said Friday as he and his western and northern counterparts concluded a two-day meeting.
"Sending a carrier pigeon down Pennsylvania Avenue with a diplomatic note doesn't work in the United States. You have got to be more aggressive," Mr. Doer said to the approving nods of the other leaders.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040709.wwprems0709/BNStory/Front/

[Spazito]

2. Nothing is going to happen until after the Nov election...

both parties need those special interest votes and will do nothing to upset them so it will be status quo until then. Martin and the premiers know this, all the rest is simple posturing, imo.

[CHIMO]

3. Perhaps You Are Correct

And then again?
Klein is getting a bit worried with attacks from the right and all the money they poured into the 2 US packers that should have gone to the little guys.
I think that what we are seeing is a move from the rural people to a realization that they need another option to relying on an open border. They have been living under the assumption that it is one market and we have the same standards but that is not counting anymore.
I think what is happening is a turn, whereby the producers realize, that the way we are going is not working. It has been promises upon promise and on top of that the softwood lumber deal shows that things are not working. Marin's shot over the bow at the conference is a warning of what is coming. And if this happens then Alberta will demand extra for the oil and gas. If the border remains closed until Nov then there will be hell to pay.

[Spazito]

4. There is no doubt there will be "huffing and puffing" until the Nov....

election, on both sides of the border, but I really believe the reality is nothing will change because bush cannot afford to alienate anyone given his poll numbers. Klein won't shut off the taps because that will hurt him in his upcoming election seeing as a lot of Alberta's economy depends on sales of oil and gas to the US.

Martin knows this, he will continue to publically speak about the need to open the borders as it is what Canadians expect. My hope is that Kerry, when elected, will put some of Canada's legitimate concerns on his agenda to deal with early on.

[CHIMO]

5. Believe That

Things have gone beyond that point.
Klein is not going to put anything on the table.
The rural people are going to require an investment in alternate markets. This requires testing of every cow and two markets in beef for North America. Libs and NDP and Conservative will all jump on the bandwagon. Once the money is invested in new packers then there is the necessity to keep that market open and at the same time a reduced reliance on the previous market. Result is we can make our own policy.
Really don't see any change in the North American market for beef, or the other trade issues, down the road based on the Nov. elections.

[Spazito]

6. Re your comment on not seeing any changes after Nov...

I don't disagree there and it will be interesting to see if there is a effort to find new markets and reduce our reliance, not on in beef but in softwood lumber,etc. It certainly is the direction I would support, diversification reduces the opportunity for blackmail, political expediency, etc.

[CHIMO]

7. I See A Change

Based on what I am hearing (CBC radio) after the election, where Dave Chatters is now talking about alternate markets for beef, where previously everyone was singing from the same hymn book about getting the border open, there seems to be a change in mood.
In addition, if NAFTA is going to be put back on the table there needs to be some consensus for a position.
The softwood issue is there for Alberta and BC and to some extent other areas.
Sadly this is a non issue, or perhaps it is a positive sign, in the Nov. election.
One can take the number of comments on this posting as an indication of the importance to the other trading partners. Hopefully when things come back for renegotiations there will be a better understanding of the implications and a basis for rules other than one group using their system.
I was really surprised at Martin disappearing into a private conference when he is saying that he wants to bring things into the open. I have taken it as an indication that he is going to take over some of the NDP territory that they have left open because of the unions movement to free trade and the negative feedback on cattle, softwood and other trade issues.