Question to the Minister of Agriculture - October 7, 2009

Mr. Mervin Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, Canadian cattle and hog farmers have been facing hard times due to country of origin labeling restrictions imposed on them by the U.S. government.

While our farmers have been hurt by this regressive policy the Liberal Party and its agriculture critic, the member for Malpeque, have done nothing of consequence to help our producers. It seems like the Liberals just do not understand or care about farmers.

Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board inform the House of all possible steps the Conservative government has taken to fight COOL on behalf of our farmers?

Hon. Gerry Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Brandon—Souris for his continued hard work on this file.

Our message to the United States has always been very clear. This government stands with our farmers against that issue.

In fact, as you well know, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has raised that with the President of the United States. The Minister of International Trade and I have raised it constantly with our counterparts in the United States.

I am pleased to report today that we have asked the WTO to strike a panel in this regard. Let me quote Brad Wildeman, President of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. He said:

We certainly will.