Saskatchewan farmers fear a royal contagion
By COLIN FREEZE
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Ottawa — Prince Charles, perhaps the world's most famous organic farmer, will be going into Canada's agricultural heartland next month — but he won't be visiting any farms.
Any plans Saskatchewan organizers may have had to show the Prince around the province on his first-ever visit there have been cancelled because of restrictions placed on visitors from Britain to guard against foot-and-mouth disease.
"There are no plans for him to visit farms in Saskatchewan," said Michael Jackson, chief of protocol for the province.
"Normally one would want a royal visitor to go to a farm," Mr. Jackson said. "But in this case the option is not being considered." Hundreds of thousands of cattle have been destroyed in Britain because of foot-and-mouth disease, and its presence here could ruin Canada's livestock industry.
Regulations of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency advise travellers from Britain not to visit farms for 14 days after they arrive in Canada. Charles is to arrive April 25, visit Ottawa, Saskatchewan and the Yukon, and leave April 30.
British travellers will also face questions from CFIA agents and will be asked to tread upon mats soaked with disinfectant to kill any lingering traces of the highly contagious virus.
"Our understanding is the Prince of Wales is eager to respect all and any requirements," Mr. Jackson said.
"The Prince himself is very well versed in agriculture. He more than anyone will be aware of the problem."
Just this week, Charles cut short his annual skiing holiday so he could stay in Britain in the mounting foot-and-mouth crisis.
He has donated the equivalent of about $1.1-million (Cdn.) to help farmers experiencing hardship because of the outbreak. The donation was made after the virus was found on a farm on land he owns in southwest England.
The head of the Monarchist League of Canada, John Aimers, said he doubts Charles will be bothered by the Canadian precautions or questions from food-inspection agents.
British livestock, meat, embryos, and even used farming equipment are under strict no-import regulations.
In fact, the Alberta government is considering asking the federal Department of National Defence to take steps to prevent British soldiers, who routinely train in the province, from bringing the disease into the country.
Shirley McClellan, Alberta's Deputy Premier and Agriculture Minister, plans to discuss with her cabinet colleagues whether extra precautions should be taken as thousands of soldiers with tonnes of equipment are poised to enter the province.
The idea of barring their entry is being tossed around.
"This is one of those things we have to look at as a precautionary measure," said Janice Harrington, a spokeswoman for the Agriculture Minister's office. "The livestock industry is vitally important to Alberta."
Thirty-five British soldiers are now in Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton. Another six are expected to arrive Monday, according to the Department of National Defence.
About 7,600 British soldiers and staff are expected to descend upon CFB Suffield near Medicine Hat from May to September.
In May, 1,200 will arrive, and 1,200 will come in June. In August, another 5,000 will head to the British Army Training Unit Suffield, and an additional 200 will filter on and off the base over the summer.
"We just want to express our concern about the fact that this is rampant in the UK and doesn't seem to be under control at this point in time," Ms. Harrington said.
With a report from Dawn Walton in Calgary
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