So the Japanese are still saying no to Canadian beef, and because of that the US says they cannot allow our beef either.

Well, I say it is time then to start BOYCOTTING all Japanese products. Let them wallow in their self-made recession.

I also think the US is behind this. Think about it. Now US cattlmen are receiving great prices for their beef. What interest would the Japanese have in higher prices? Boycott US products too.

   

Japan wants access to our market, which they currently don't have.

   

So? Give Japan access to our market and they'll come up with another reason to be protectionist. Same with the US. The US is loving this...they still have access to our market, but we don't have access to theirs. Welcome to free trade George Bush style.

With all of the trade agreements around and the intricacies of those agreements it is incredibly difficult to come up with an effective trade retaliation in this case...too many players. Banning US meat would be a start, so would a tariff on Japanese electronics, but there will be further retaliation from those countries. We have to understand and accept that.

That doesn't mean that we, as consumers, can't retaliate. Ask where your beef (and pork and lamb and goat and bison) is from the next time you buy some. If the answer isn't Canada, go buy it elsewhere. Do the same with everything...whenever possible buy Canadian products. Trade agreements cannot dictate what people buy and they can't retaliate against a market where their products are allowed but nobody buys them.

   

I'm all in favour of letting them in too, if that will resolve the problem. Wouldn't be in Mr. Bush's best interest though, that would be further competition in his country's Canadian market, which as you motioned he currently enjoys.
As far as tariffs with Japan, start with the big stuff like cars, the automotive industry dwarfs the electronics anyway. That includes tariffs on electronics in the cars as well. Slap Japan in the wallet and see how quick things may start to progress.
Since the BSE started here, I have only purchased in stores or restaurants Canadian 100% beef or I order chicken if they don't know. A recent problem I've found is that there is very little Canadian cuts in the stores. Last weekend I went to the local meat store I always go to. They had very little Canadian and the majority was imported and not from the US either, there was 0% of that. What little they had was also more than double the price it usually is!! I asked why and they said their sources were the same way and that's all they can get. He offered his opinion, which then included the poor farmer and small yard animals.
So my take on the matter is that there are two of us getting screwed here. Me and the farmer who faces burying his hers in the "back 40."

   

NO MORE SONY

Buy Paradigm speakers - top quality - Canadian made.

   

For those of you in Canada who buy meat at grocery stores, IGA at least in Winnipeg, has stated that they are carrying only Canadian beef. The place where I get my large meat purchases is a farmer, so it isn't really an issue for me most of the time, but we've been buying our incidental meat from IGA ever since the announcement.

For those of you who eat fast food...Rotten Ronnies has said that they will be supplying their Canadian stores with 100% Canadian beef as soon as they can adjust their systems, whatever that means. Wait a week or two, then go have a Big Mac.

I'm not sure if it's the pressure from consumers or the fact that Canadian beef is pretty much free right now, but some retailers seem to be getting the message. If we frequent only those places, other retailers will soon get the message as well.

   

Here in Ontario the beef prices seem to be holding as high as ever. I think that is because it's BBQ season though. And thats for Canadian beef at Loblaws associated stores.

   

Good to see people into it.

   

I've allways done my best to buy canadian when ever possible. its just a matter of looking to see the origin label on any products you look at...

   

I just read how the US is now allowing boneless beef in but not life animals.

Somebody (I can't remember who) mentioned how this episode has taught other countries the 3 S's about mad cow.

Those being Shoot Shovel and Shut up.


So, in a futile attempt at protecting their countries they have ensured that no other country will let them know if BSE is found in their cattle.

   

Sad, but probably true.

   

That's been happening since we domesticated animals, what made BSE so different was that the epidemic in England, closely followed by hoof and mouth, made it all very public.

The thing wih BSE is that we know what allows it to spread...feeding animals never meant to eat meat other animals, often of the same species, to eat. We can get rid of it once and for all by banning the use of all animal by-products in all livestock. That we are so reluctant to do that shows the political power of large agri-business.