The Philippines’ government has reopened the country’s ports to imports of live Canadian cattle, sheep and goats.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast announced the decision Tuesday, with Fast describing it as “yet another win for Canadian workers and producers and their families.”
The Philippines imports about $9 million in live cattle from various countries each year, and about $300,000 worth of live sheep and goats, the Canadian government said.
Canadian producers “now have the ability to compete for sales in this market,” the government said, noting the Philippines imported other agricultural goods and agrifoods with a total value of over $235 million in 2010 alone. Canadian products formed 20 per cent of the Philippines’ total meat and poultry imports in 2008.
The Philippines was among many export markets to shut its doors to live ruminants in May 2003 following the discovery of Canada’s first domestic case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in an Alberta cow.
The country restored market access in 2007 for Canadian beef, and in 2010 lifted a BSE-related ban on rendered meat and bone meal imports from Canada.
This out weighs economic concern. I am now voting green party
Please stop and look in the eyes of these sweet beings and know they want what we all want to be loved and to be happy.
Canada should be ashamed of itself as a Country. These poor animals will not only suffer on the journey but will be slaughtered in the worst ways in a country that does not care.
This has devastating effects in so many ways. For the animals it is plain torture and for the environment it is just stupid.
It doesn’t make sense to encourage buying local then selling by shipping live animals across the world.
We must realize that some things are more important than money and fast before what is left of our environment is completely destroyed.
Is there nothing that can be done to stop the live transport of animals. Can the animals not be slaughtered in their country of origin and then be shipped. The shipping process is so horrific for these poor terrified creatures. All living things have the same feelings as you or I, please think about how you would feel being shipped. Please do your utmost to stop this insane practice. Thank you.
I am so disheartened that this comtinues,
Looks of despair!!
This must stop!