031156 Canadian Farmers Reject Mad Cow Program

Edmonton , Alberta - A federal olive branch to help cattlemen affected by the mad cow disaster has Alberta saying thanks, but no thanks.

Home to more than half of Canada's 13 million cattle, the province won't take part in the federal program because of the slaughter requirement, said Agriculture Minister Shirley McClellan.

The provincial government, which has committed $100 million in funding to deal with older animals, is expected to announce Monday the details of its own program designed to be "market neutral," she said.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association was disappointed with the federal package.

"What we needed in the industry was some cash to winter the cow and let you determine when the best time is to move the animal," said president Neil Jahnke, who represents 90,000 producers.

"If the money was paid up front, then people would market their cattle at the best possible price."

But the $120 million in federal aid being offered to cull older cattle nobody wants because of mad cow fears will require goodwill from slaughterhouses if it is going to work out, Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said yesterday.

Vanclief said he hopes packing plants won't drop prices for slaughter cattle even further than they've already fallen because operators think the federal government will make up the difference.

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