Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from farmers in the Peterborough and that general part of Ontario. The petitioners point out that the Canadian beef cattle, dairy, goat and sheep industries are in a state of crisis due to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, problem. The whole industry is in a state of crisis.
The aids package to the industry is inadequate as it does not deal with the problems which the industry is facing. In fact there is an imminent collapse of key sectors of the rural economic community.
These citizens urge Parliament to develop a long term solution and economic relief that is fair and reflects the importance of these industries to Canada. They know that the ultimate long term solution is opening the border.