News Release - November 01, 2007

VICTORIA - The new meat regulation imposed last month by the Campbell government is causing so much harm to B.C. farmers that even Liberal MLAs are speaking out, say Opposition MLAs Robin Austin and Charlie Wyse.  

This week in the Legislature several Opposition MLAs presented petitions from voters in Liberal constituencies who are calling the government to rescind the new regulation. A Liberal MLA also presented petitions on behalf of his constituents.   Robin Austin

"I was pleased to see Liberal MLA Dennis McKay also standing up in the House and presenting a petition on behalf of Bulkley Valley-Stikine," said Austin, MLA for Skeena. "Clearly he knows that the regulations are closing down farms in his constituency and across this province."

On Friday, New Democrats Leonard Krog, Norm MacDonald, John Horgan, Shane Simpson and Gary Coons presented over 3000 signatures opposed to the new meat regulation, primarily from Liberal constituencies.

"Producers and processors across B.C. are fighting for the right to sell local meat legally at the farm gate," said Charlie Wyse, MLA for Cariboo South.

"It's obvious this regulation was implemented with complete disregard for the way rural farmers have been operating for centuries. "Now we're seeing the impacts of this massive boondoggle, and dissention in the ranks is just the latest example."  

Wyse said the Official Opposition will continue its campaign to fight the new meat regulation, and he invited more Liberal MLAs to join the fight.

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