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Mad Cow Crisis - Rancher gaining ‘BIG’ following

By John Barlow
Editor

Momentum continues to surge behind a discussion paper released by a Blackie rancher that calls into question Canada’s handling of the mad cow crisis.
Cam Ostercamp, a rancher in the Blackie area, developed the document “Behind the Veil of Science: How the mishandling of the BSE crisis could lead to the downfall of the Canadian beef industry” and response has been overwhelming.
“This is gaining in strength,” said Ostercamp during an interview on Sunday evening. “I have had hundreds of phone calls and not one has been negative.”
Ostercamp’s document deals addresses alternatives for the recovery of Canada’s beef industry which has been crippled by mad cow crisis since bovine spongiform encelophalopathy (BSE) was discovered in Alberta in May, 2003.
Ostercamp suggests that for the beef industry to recover mandatory testing is a must as well as expanding Canada’s processing capacity and actively seeking out new global markets for Canadian beef eliminating Canada’s dependency on the US market.
In essence, he argues that re-opening the American border to live cattle will do little to alleviate the crisis and the focus and government aid dollars should be focused elsewhere.
“At this stage we have gone nowhere for the last 12 months,” explained Ostercamp. “It is time to change direction and discuss options like BSE testing.”
Ostercamp’s discussion paper, that he promoted on various websites and e-mailed to banks, MLAs and MPs, has started to take on a life of its own.
Last week during a Red Angus sale in Innisfail Ostercamp was invited to speak to the producers in attendance.
Sensing an opportunity, after his presentation Ostercamp asked the ranchers to get on board.
Minutes later the Beef Initiative Group (BIG) was born.
It is hoped BIG will grow into a strong lobby group that will be able to convince the provincial government, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and Canadian Cattlemen Association (CCA) to listen to some alternative ideas to empower the beef industry.
“We want to demonstrate to the industry representatives and the province that producers have voices that need to be heard,” said Ostercamp. “We want to force discussion on solutions. We have ideas and we want them discussed.”
BIG will be holding a meeting at Hirsche Herefords (just east of the Highwood Auction Mart) on June 7 at 7 pm.
Ostercamp said he is hoping 500 to 1,000 producers and industry representatives will attend the meeting.
“I don’t know what to expect, but we will try and fill the room with as many people as we can,” he said.
The meeting will be used to select a board of directors for BIG and discuss options and ideas.
Some of the ideas that have been discussed include funding programs for new processing plants, markets Canadian beef to untapped global markets and mandatory BSE testing.
After a board of directors is in place the next step for BIG will be to approach ABP and CCA and get them to listen to some of the ideas producers have on not only aiding the beef industry, but developing an atmosphere where the industry will be vibrant long term without the crutch of the American market. About 70 per cent of Canada’s total exports go south to the United States meaning Canada relies heavily on one customer.
Ostercamp said what is frustrating is that so far it seems the voice of the producers, the foundation of the beef industry, has been ignored.
“No one seems to be listening,” he said. “It is like ‘We know what is best for you. Trust us, we will get the border open.”
He said he hopes BIG will give producers that booming voice that seems to have been missing.
Ostercamp’s discussion paper can be downloaded from www.lgunderson.com .