Déjà vu? Have we not seen
this before?

Why was meat from the XL Foods plant in Brooks allowed to be shipped
to Canadian stores after Sept 4th, that is the date that officials were alerted
that beef shipped to the Unites States was testing positive for E. coli. The recalls
did not begin in Canada
for another two weeks. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has so far recalled more than 1,500
products processed at the plant due to possible E. coli contamination.
In the wake of the Maple
Leaf disaster in 2008 I wrote “Is there a more singularly important role for
this government than the protection of our food supply? Sure we need shelter,
infrastructure, mail etc, but safe food is a fairly reasonable request for
Canadians. I want to be confident that the food that I purchase and serve my
family is not going to make them ill...or kill them. I do not think that is a great deal to expect in 2012 in a great
industrialized nation like Canada.”
How did our food safety system continue to fail so dramatically?
16 people died in August and
September 2008 because of serious problems in the food inspection system. Not
the least of which was the Conservative government's failed attempt to
privatize the process, allowing some meat producers police themselves.
The key may be found in the
soft on meat inspection, Albertan Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It looks as if
Maple Leaf Foods, Schneider Foods, Cargill Foods and Lakeside Packers are controlling
the Conservative Party . These companies are huge employers, particularly in
places like Brooks, Red Deer and High River ALBERTA.
Meat and meat products are Canada's
largest agricultural export. Yes meat is big business in the heartland of the
Reform/Conservative Party.
A government that fails to address noted concerns about the inspection process for food inspection in this country is negligent. People died before because this government wanted to cut red tape for its friends in the meat packing business.
A government that fails to address noted concerns about the inspection process for food inspection in this country is negligent. People died before because this government wanted to cut red tape for its friends in the meat packing business.

Why must people die or a crisis develop before these agencies react?
Why is the business interest of a company put before our health and safety?
Why does this government muzzle and fire scientists who point out the shortcomings of the underfunded food safety program?
Keep in mind, it could have
been you, it could have been your spouse, your mother, your child or your neighbor
that pays the price for this negligence.
Is this the thin edge of the
neo-conservative wedge that puts profits ahead of safety.
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