Prairie NDP Oppositions Urge Ottawa to Halt Meat Labelling Changes

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Agriculture Critics in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are calling on the federal government to scrap their proposed changes requiring front-of-package labelling on ground beef and pork. Trent Wotherspoon wrote a letter with Alberta NDP Agriculture Critic Heather Sweet and Manitoba NDP Agriculture Critic Diljeet Brar to the federal ministers of Health and Agriculture outlining their concerns with the proposed changes.

“At a time when Saskatchewan families are having to make hard, informed decisions about their groceries, the federal government is wrongly targeting more affordable sources of protein like beef and pork,” said Wotherspoon. “Consumers should have access to accurate nutritional information. Instead, these labelling changes risk telling Saskatchewan families that beef and pork are dangerous. It’s simply not the case.”

Last week, the federal government announced Health Canada is planning to require front-of-package nutrition symbols on foods containing 15 per cent of the recommended daily intakes of sodium, sugar and saturated fat. However, unlike single ingredient meats and dairy products which are exempted from these changes, the federal government is not planning to exempt ground beef or pork.

The move was decried by industry groups and experts, including professor of food distribution at Dalhousie University Sylvain Charlebois who said the proposed warning labels on ground beef and pork are predicated on these products being consumed in their raw form.

“Front-of-package labelling must be accurate and reflect how the products are actually consumed,” said Wotherspoon. “They must also be fair and grounded in common standards, and I am happy to see exceptions made for other industries like dairy. We call on the federal government to protect and respect Saskatchewan beef and pork producers, and scrap these proposed changes.”

-30-

Latest posts

YORKTON CHILDCARE PROVIDERS STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT, SCOTT MOE’S ONLY ACTION IS TO MAKE THINGS WORSE

Rate Of Childcare Spaces In City Among The Lowest In Province, Sask. Party Doesn’t Do A Thing
YORKTON - From the home of a local childcare provider, Carla Beck’s team is raising the alarm about the lack of available childcare spaces in Yorkton and surrounding areas leaving the community behind.

AS VOLUNTEERS FILL MASSIVE GAPS, CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS OUT SCOTT MOE FOR FAILING PEOPLE DESPERATE FOR HELP

Everyday People Step Up, Sask. Party Seems More Focused On Summer Vacation
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is calling out the Sask. Party for failing to lift a finger to help as poverty and homelessness in Saskatoon reaches unprecedented levels — it’s gotten so bad that volunteers are routinely stepping forward to provide the necessities because Government won’t.

SCOTT MOE HID THE $26-BILLION COAL BILL. NOW? HE’S CHARGING $8,000 TO SEE THE ENGINEERING BEHIND IT

Sask. Party Demands Thousands For Independent Reports, While Warning That Paying The Bill May Produce Nothing
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is demanding Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison immediately release the independent engineering reports behind their $26-billion coal catastrophe after SaskPower demanded more than $8,000, while also warning that paying the bill may still produce nothing. In previous Freedom of Information attempts received, nearly 2,500 pages of almost entirely redacted documents.

SASK. PARTY CRUMBLING HEALTH-COVERAGE SYSTEM BREAKS PROMISE TO WORKING NEWCOMERS

Families Are Facing Uncertainty And Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses Despite Remaining Legally Authorized To Work In Province
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is raising concerns about a growing number of working immigrants who are being denied health coverage under the tired and out-of-touch Sask. Party, despite being legally authorized to live and work in Saskatchewan.

NDP Caucus Office