“I am encouraged today to see Canadian cattle cross into the United States for the first time since the border closed more than two years ago.

While the recent unanimous ruling by a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court is good news for Canadian producers, we are painfully aware of how hard the battle has been and of the challenges that lie before us.

It is ironic that the Agriculture Minister acknowledges that “on July 27, 2005, Judge Cebull will hear arguments in the Montana court case, and could impose a permanent injunction,” thus closing the border indefinitely to trade of Canadian livestock.

In spite of Minister Mitchell's acknowledgement, it is shocking that his government will not be present and will have no official standing to defend the interests of the Canadian livestock industry at the crucial July 27 court hearing.

Thankfully, Canadian cattle and livestock producers will not be without a federal voice at these proceedings since over 70 Conservative parliamentarians will have official standing through their amicus status.

It is shameful that the Liberal government and the Agriculture Minister have been derelict in their duty by failing to take every means at their disposal to defend Canadian livestock producers. With everything on the line at the July 27th hearing, Canadian producers deserve real representation, not lip service from the government they elected to defend them in times of need.

We are hopeful that Judge Cebull will recognize the facts and science that we will present to him when over twenty Conservative parliamentarians will be in the court room to represent Canadian livestock producers and to defend their interests.”