Legislative Report July 20, 2005

It has been a long and difficult two years with the border closed to live cattle, but this week there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, live cattle have been allowed to cross the border into the United States. Everyone involved in the agricultural trade let out a collective sigh of relief when this happened.

Saskatchewan produces some of the highest grade cattle and beef in the world. That is why our product is highly sought south of the border, and that is why we were so affected by the closure of the border. Let’s hope that the time has come where our cattle will flow freely across the border. However, we should keep in mind that having a solid slaughter capacity at home is a good way to protect us from such trade disruptions in the future.

We in the Saskatchewan Party presented a plan for value-added agriculture in March of this year. It includes ways to increase the slaughter capacity in Saskatchewan focusing on tax incentives and fundamental improvements to the economic climate. We want to ensure that farmers and the industry as a whole continues to be an economic driver for this province.

Although the border is open right now, it only takes one judgment to slam it shut again. We must find new and innovative ways to ensure producers and the agricultural industry are better insulated from such mishaps. We in the Saskatchewan Party have the plan and a vision to get this done.

Past Legislative Reports