Fortenberry Meets with Canadian Officials:
Examines Nations Animal Identification System and Changing Beef Industry

Washington D.C. - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry along with Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte met with Canadian agriculture officials in Alberta, Canada for firsthand oversight of Canadas animal identification program and the impact of the borders closure to the trade of Canadian cattle.

Canada has moved quickly to implement a comprehensive animal identification system. It is important that we aggressively pursue efforts to do the same, Fortenberry said. An effective animal identification system in America would enhance the security of our food supply and help protect export markets in the future.

In addition to meeting with government officials on issues related to the U.S. and Canadian beef and meat industries, Fortenberry visited a feed mill to examine ruminant feed ban implementation. The delegation also visited feedlot and processing facilities and met with industry representatives to gain a better understanding of the current status of the Canadian beef and meat industries and the effects on the U.S. meat industry.

We looked at their aggressive developments of their own slaughter capacity in response to the shock to their system caused by BSE and border closure, and how that may impact our own processing in the United States, Fortenberry said.

Fortenberry noted that Canadian processing capacity is rapidly expanding. Very soon, they will be able to process the whole of their cattle supply domestically.

Congressman Fortenberry has made audio comments available by telephone at (202) 226-4766 (enter 367825# at the prompt) or by internet (RealPlayer format) at http://www.GOP.gov/mediaclips/3678/25/367825.rm.

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