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You can make a difference, talk
to Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture Canada by phone
ph (613.759.1059)
fax (613.759.1081)
Check
out a special letter of support
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What
You Want to Know:
| The
Latest News |
The CFIA today informed us that the test results on the 14 water buffalo killed on July 28th, 2002 were negative for contamination by BSE. Further the CFIA released the Canadian born progeny from quarantine without restriction.
We are delighted that the calves will be able to graze and that we can now plan ahead. However, the celebration is tempered with the sadness at the senseless loss of life of the 18 imported water buffalo and the loss of opportunity for a new industry in the Cowichan Region for several years.
Thank you everyone for your help and support. We can rejoice in a new beginning, however, we must never allow such a wanton destruction of healthy animals to occur again.
Anthea and Darrel
New
UPDATE May, 2003 Updates
The document linked below sets out the
current situation regarding the attitude of the CFIA
towards science and ourselves as Canadian citizens seeking
to be innovative.
Download PDF
file
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| The
Issue |
Anthea
and Darrel Archer have invested their life savings in a
herd of purebred water buffalo, which were imported this
year from Europe. Now, because of a single case of bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Denmark, hundreds of
kilometres away from the farm where the water buffalo were
held in quarantine, the Archers are being ordered to
remove or destroy their herd. The Archers
are fighting for an extension... and fighting for their
lives.
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| About
Fairburn Farm |
John
and Mary Jackson settled in the Cowichan Region on
Fairburn Farm in the mid 1880s. Mary, who was from
Scotland called the farm "Fairburn"
which means beautiful stream in the Scottish
idiom. The Archers have owned and operated
Fairburn Farm for several generations, working
closely with farmers and agricultural groups in
the Region to strengthen and develop new
opportunities for local agriculture and
farmers.
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| Background |
| Government
at every level has been hammering home the need
for entrepreneurs who will develop new
opportunities in Canada. Over two years ago the
Archers responded. They began working with the
appropriate government agencies to realize a dream
they had for many years. They would risk
everything to develop new economic opportunities
for the region by importing water buffalo to
Canada and creating a market for their milk and
milk products.
Now two years
later, after having followed government guidelines
faithfully, and invested their life savings, they
are facing ruin. The background paper outlines the
events as they happened.
For more info about Mad Cow disease go to;
http://www.madcow.org
http://www.maff.gov.uk
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| Updates |
Check
for updates on what is happening to save the water
buffalo herd from destruction.
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| News
Articles |
What
is happening here on Vancouver Island has brought
to light a number of issues and questions,
including how the CFIA works and where is the
accountability for its actions. Interest and
inquiries in this story now reach beyond our
borders. We will try and post news articles and
coverage on what is happening as we receive them.
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| Fundraisers |
Ed and Angela Bosch, owners of Crazy 8s Gift and Party Store, are opening a Duncan store in the Wendy's mall on Saturday August 24th.
Ed and three siblings each had broiler chickens over 30,000 at a time. Their farming days are over, however, they continue to contribute to the local economy. They appreciate our situation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and accordingly 10% will be donated to the Fairburn Trust Fund this weekend.
The Archer family will be at the store between 10:00 and 3:00 on Saturday together with a week old swamp water buffalo calf. We will answer questions and there will be door prizes.
We thank Ed and Angela Bosch and family for their generosity. We all believe that businesses working together strengthen our community.
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| Those
Giving Support |
There
is a long list of things that need to be done. A
special thanks to those companies and individuals
who have supported the Archers.
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| Community
Support |
Community
support is critical if this herd is to be saved.
Given more time and the political will perhaps an
alternative solution can be found. Regional
groups, and associations are starting to show
their support.
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| How
You Can Help |
Get
behind "Save the Water Buffalo" and send
a letter, fax, e-mail, make a phone call or help
through fundraising. The voice of each one
of us as concerned individuals still needs to be
heard. Your letters and phone calls will
make a difference. Check out the sample letter to
send to your local MLA and MP
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| Trust
Fund |
A
trust fund has been set up to help the Archers in
their fight to "Save the Water Buffalo".
You can help by making a donation.
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| The
Poster |
Image
of the poster being used to garner support and
donations.
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