Dear Editor,

Cattle identification has been a part of Canadian cattle farming for most of the twentieth century. Originally enacted to eradicate bovine brucellosis, tuberculosis, and to combat the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 1952, the program played an important role in the development and success of the cattle industry within Canada. With the successful control of these diseases and the declaration that Canada was free of brucellosis in 1985, the need for most federal tagging seemed to be at an end.

Today however, there exists pressure within Canada to establish a comprehensive cattle identification and traceback program. Proponents argue that the 1996 outbreak of BSE in the United Kingdom and the subsequent paralysis of the beef cattle industry in the UK, identifies a scenario where the implementation of such a program could be advantageous to the Canadian cattle industry. Disease outbreaks, it is argued, are not an unforeseeable occurrence, and thus some measures to counter such an event should be in place.

Presently in Canada there is a proposed amendment to the Health of Animals Regulations, which would institute a national cattle identification program. The proposed amendment is now undergoing a 60-day public comment period. The program promises to strengthen the Canadian food safety system, and further the reliability of our food. In addition, it provides both industry and government the ability to rapidly respond and contain any disease outbreak. While accomplishing these goals, the plan also promises to be affordable, simple, practical and reliable.

I would strongly encourage any interested parties to make their thoughts and concerns known. Opinions can be expressed either directly to the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or my office. Further information on this subject can be attained through any of the aforementioned.

Sincerely,

Paul Steckle, M.P.

Huron-Bruce