Mr. Speaker, I rise to present yet another petition on behalf of beef, sheep, goat and bison farmers in my riding concerning the BSE crisis.
No doubt these petitioners, who are some of many, are delighted by the news that there is relief now flowing to ruminant farmers of all types across the country, but they know that the problem is still the border, and that over 1,000 farm families in my region are directly affected.
They point out that the industry and the herd concerned in Canada and in the United States are essentially integrated and that Canadian beef is the safest in the world. They urge Parliament to do all it can to open the border. This a matter that should be taken up at the very highest levels.