****Ontario beef producers requiring assistance throughout this current crisis are encouraged to use any of the following services.

CCA BSE Line - The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) and Dupont Canada have a service to keep agricultural producers informed of the latest developments during the BSE crisis. Agricultural producers can access daily updates on the current situation via a new website - www.info-cca.ca.  For those without Internet access, a toll free phone line will also carry a recording of the daily update.  The phone number is 1-866-INFO-CCA (1-866-463-6222). Visitors to the website can also sign up for an email delivery service to receive updates direct to their inbox each day.

BSE Help Line - 1-888-292-5856. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food has implemented a new BSE Help Line to better meet the information needs of clients affected by the BSE situation in Ontario. The BSE Help Line gives callers access to a team of OMAF specialists who will be able to offer technical advice to help producers make informed management decisions.

The Farm Line - 1-888-451-2903. The Farm Line is a confidential telephone emotional support and referral service provided to farmers and farm families in the province of Ontario. This toll-free helpline which specializes in support services for the agricultural community is accessible from Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 8: pm. It is a bilingual service.

The Farm Consultation Service - 1-866-452-5558. The financial management counselling service was developed to assist Canadian farmers who are experiencing farm financial problems. For a nominal fee the service provides qualified counsellors who understand farming and farm businesses to work with you to help prevent more serious financial problems. The service will help you assess your current financial position and develop a plan for future success.

BSE and Industry Backgrounders

• Canadian Trade Agreements Fact Sheet (October, 2004)
• Comparison of US and Canadian BSE-related Regulations (May, 2004) 

• Ontario beef producers pleased with Federal funding announcement (March 29, 2005)
• Ontario Cattlemen's Association statement on the suspect BSE test result (December 30, 2004)
• Canadian Cattle to begin moving to U.S. on March 7 (December 29, 2004)
• Provincial funding announcement helps Ontario beef farmers (September 27, 2004)
• Ontario government announces funding for the Ontario beef industry (September 27, 2004)
• Ontario beef farmers grateful for federal funding announcement (September 10, 2004)
• Canadian Cattlemen's Association welcomes Federal Government Support of Beef Industry Recovery Strategy (September 10, 2004)
• Beef Producers facing insolvency (OCA Press release - June 1, 2004)
• Open Letter to Canadian Beef Producers from Stan Eby, President, Canadian Cattlemen's Association (May 20, 2004)
• Open Letter from Jan Lyons, President, National Beef Cattlemen's Association, USA (May, 2004)
• Ontario Beef farmers welcome federal funding announcement (March 22, 2004)
• The Canadian Cattlemen's Association's current lobby strategy (March 8, 2004)

• Canadian Cattlemen's Association comments on the reopening of the U.S. comment period (March 4, 2004)

• BSE in North America - Harmonized rules are an important step toward open borders (December 30, 2003)

• CCA reacts to USDA Announcement of possible Canadian Connection (December 27, 2003)

• Canadian Cattlemen's Association reacts to USDA Announcement - OCA December 23, 2003

• Beef Producers hopeful that APF will provide adequate support (December 11, 2003)

• CCA reacts to USDA announcement (October 31, 2003)

• Farmers visit Ottawa to call attention to BSE crisis (September 10)

• Beef Farmers grateful for continued provincial support (September 2)
• Uncertainty in livestock industry requires government assurances (August 13)
• Ontario producers "cautiously optimistic" after partial US border opening (August 8)
• OCA urges Ontario government to sign Agricultural Policy Framework (July 24)
• Consumers can support country’s struggling farmers by buying Canadian beef (July 9)
• Letter to Minister Helen Johns re: need for changes to compensation program (July 7)
• Consumers can show support by buying beef (June 24)
• Ontario producers encouraged by announcement of BSE compensation package (June 18)
• Statement from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association on Federal-Provincial Disaster Assistance for the Cattle Industry (June 18)
• Ontario beef producers urged to contact political representatives, (June 12)
• Beef Farmers to Canadian Consumers: Here’s How You Can Help (June 12) 
• Compensation Urgently Needed for Ontario beef producers (June 10)
• Ontario Cattlemen's Association backgrounder (June 2)
• Ontario beef farmers do not support regionalization
• Statement from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (May 22)
• BSE huge blow to Ontario beef industry (May 21)
• Statement from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (May 20)
• Press release from the Beef Information Centre (May 20)

• Agriculture and Agri Food Canada
• Alberta Beef Producers' Association
• www.bseinfo.ca - (a new consumer website featuring scientific information about BSE and the systems in place to ensure the safety of Canadian beef)
• Canada Beef Export Federation
• Canadian Cattlemen's Association
• Canadian Cattlemen's Association BSE website
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Beef Information Centre 
• Ontario Farm Animal Council – BSE page 
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
• Canada Beef Export Federation 
• United States Department of Agriculture

Other related websites: