Mr. Speaker, last August I wrote to my government to pass on the contents of a letter I had received from Alain Richard, President of the Fédération de l'UPA d'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Rosaire Mongrain, President of the Syndicat des producteurs de bovins d'Abitibi-Témiscamingue. In it they voiced concerns for the future of farm operations in their area as a result of the repercussions of mad cow disease.
Everyone is appreciative of the funding made available by the governments of Canada and Quebec to help farmers out of this crisis.
Today, however, governments must continue their efforts and improve their support to farmers.
Changes must be made to the cost-shared program between the governments of Quebec and of Canada announced on July 16, 2003.
If the U.S. embargo continues, Canada will have to implement one of its own on American beef.