The number of recalled items, produced at the XL meat processing plant in Brooks, continues to grow.
On Sunday the federal government added dozens more beef products to the list. See full list of recalled products HERE.
Also on Sunday, Alberta’s premier was in full damage control mode, meeting with ranchers and ensuring them the province is standing by them.
Wearing jeans, a western shirt, and cowboy boots, the Premier Redford met with ranchers and beef industry representatives, telling them the province has their back, and is doing everything possible to help resolve the E.coli crisis:
“There is Alberta beef that is being produced right across this province today that is safe to eat. Let’s remember to cook it well, and let’s ensure that as we move ahead we get this plant re-opened so we can keep the economy moving.”
Ultimately, it is up to a federal body, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, to decide when the the XL processing facility in Brooks can reopen. The CFIA closed the giant plant last week and continues to add its products to the recall list.
For now, ranchers have few options when it comes to selling their livestock, and prices are dropping.
“This particular plant kills over a third of the beef produced in Canada in an entire year, so they're very vulnerable when a big plant like that goes down.” Says Dr. David Chalack of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency.
The industry has suffered major challenges before, including the BSE crisis, but ranchers say the frustrating thing this time is that when the cattle leaves their property, it's in perfectly good shape.
“As long as we're doing our job, that when they leave the farm everything is safe, that's our responsibility. And it's frustrating when things go wrong after that.” Says rancher Wayne Hanson.
Various agencies are working around the clock to clean up the E.coli and ensure that it doesn't come back.
“I have also spoken with the people at XL. I am equally as satisfied that they take this seriously, and when you think about it, why wouldn't they?” says Alberta’s Agriculture minister Verlyn Olsen.
Premier Redford promises to keep the pressure on Ottawa to make sure this doesn’t drag on for several more weeks.
“I think the most important thing we can ask the federal government to do, because public safety is important, no doubt about that, is to respond in as timely a fashion as possible.”
9 people in Alberta have fallen ill from eating suspected E.coli contaminated beef. Investigations continue into whether there are any other cases.
