Allegations related to Aylmer Meat Packers have dealt the beef industry another blow during the worst crisis in Canadian agricultural history. Beef farmers are already struggling to urvive the BSE situation which is costing Ontario producers about $4 million per week.
Speaking about the current investigation involving Aylmer Meat Packers, Ron Wooddisse, president of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, said, “Farmers rely on consumer confidence and we’ve appreciated the incredible support shown by our consumers during the BSE crisis. Any act that would erode this confidence is both irresponsible and reprehensible.” Wooddisse added that beef produced in Ontario has always enjoyed a good reputation, earned over the years by Ontario’s 21,000 beef producers and others in the food chain.
Ron Bonnett, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture said, “If the investigation shows illegal activity outside of the inspection system, we hope and expect that there will be severe consequences.”
All meat – whether it be in provincial or federal plants – must be inspected and both organizations have complete confidence in Ontario’s meat inspection system. According to recent statistics, inspection hours in this province have actually increased by more than ten per cent since 1995. Said Wooddisse, “This case has nothing to do with meat inspection. It has to do with allegations of a company compromising food safety by bypassing the inspection system. No system will work if individuals choose to work outside of it.”
Said Bonnett, “It’s important to put this into context, remaining aware of the hundreds of Ontario processors that strictly adhere to meat inspection regulations. Aylmer Meat Packers processes about one per cent of Ontario’s beef so we’re only talking about a small amount of product.”
OCA and OFA welcome the appointment of Dr. James Young, Ontario’s Commissioner of Public Safety, to oversee the investigation and offer their assistance in any way possible.
~Ron Wooddisse~
President, Ontario Cattlemen’s Association
~Ron Bonnett~
President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture