Mr. Speaker, there is a saying around my farm that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. In other words, if something is running smoothly, do not tempt fate to try to make it better.
That is what is happening within the Canadian dairy industry as it relates to the introduction of BST as an enhancer of milk production. Our milk is among the purest. Our cows are among the highest producing in the world. However, there are those who would tamper with this system even though the economic gain to farmers is insignificant when compared to the damage it will do to the dairy industry.
I cannot understand, given the health of the industry, why it is necessary to even contemplate the introduction of BST.
The moratorium on the sale of BST will expire on July 1 unless extended by Health Canada. I would ask that before any decision is made to licence BST, the minister not only consider the damage that might be done to the dairy industry, but the possibility that the long term health of both animals and humans may be at risk.