HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-02-05, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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ron Expositor
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Canada.
editorial
Pig virus impact
could be huge
QM! Agency
The fact that a piglet -killing virus has been found
on a Chatham -Kent farm is troubling, especially
when one considers the economic devastation
that has followed porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in
the United States.
The highly contagious virus was first identified in
Iowa in May 2013 and has since spread to 22 states,
killing three million young pigs on 2,000 different
farms. Last week it was identified on a Middlesex
County farm, and on Monday was found on a farm in
Chatham -Kent. At the Middlesex location, almost all of
the newborn pigs have died.
Should PED have as much impact in Ontario and
Canada as it has had in the U.S., the economic impact
could amount to $45 million, say industry insiders.
For consumers, the onset of the virus will surely
mean higher pork prices. Adult pigs are apparently not
affected by the virus, but the industry's foundation - its
piglets - are being decimated, placing the industry's
future in jeopardy.
Pork producers in Ontario and elsewhere abide by
strict bio -security measures, ensuring their animals are
constantly protected from disease. Such measures are
followed even when the provincial herd is relatively
healthy.
For some time now, the Ontario Pork Producers
Marketing Board has been working closely with its sup-
pliers, producers and other business partners to ensure
that PED wouldn't get a foothold in this province.
As recently as last week, a veterinarian told Lambton
pork producers at their annual meeting that fighting
PED has become a full-time job for the industry's part-
ners, who have been well aware of the consequences
should the virus find a home in Ontario.
PED has its origins in fecal and oral matter, and is
spread mostly through contaminated trucks, trailers
and on human boots. The Lambton producers were
assured that best management practices for producers
and suppliers have been in place and are being
followed.
But PED is tenacious. To think that the virus has
breached these intense bio -security measures is fright-
ening, and speaks to the contagion's devastating
qualities.
Right now, it's a threat to an industry that's worth
approximately $5.6 billion in Canada.
Infamy, the
new celebrity
I've never been
one to really fol-
low celebrity.
Don't get me
wrong, I'm defi-
nitely a movie
lover and I often
jones for the sea-
son return of my
favourite TV
shows. But as for
making sure I'm
caught up on the personal life
of stars? No thanks.
The spotlight used to be
reserved for those with unques-
tionable talent like Fred
Astaire, Clark Gable and Doris
Day. They could sing, dance
and act. Back then, pure talent
was the only way for them to
really make a name for them-
selves. Of course there were
scandals, but most were con-
sidered a professional death
sentence.
Nowadays, being infamous
seems to be a quicker, easier
way of reaching that brass ring.
With examples too numer-
ous to count, celebrities con-
tinue to gain notoriety, not for
their talent for entertaining,
but for their talent for making a
scene.
The question of whether stars
are loved because they're
famous, or famous because
they're loved remains a
mystery.
Just look at Stratford's native
son, Justin Bieber.
Col
umn
Whitne
Huron E
y South
xpositor
In just over two
weeks, the teen
popstar has been
investigated for
vandalism of his
neighbour's
home in Califor-
nia, arrested for
drag racing in
Florida and even
turned himself in
to Toronto police
in connection with an assault
on a limo driver back in
December. And let's not forget
numerous run-ins with inter-
national law, due to his need to
spray paint random buildings
and even spit on fans from a
balcony.
The amount of disrespect for
not only the law, but also his
loyal "Bielibers" is nothing
short of staggering.
Yet the girls keep screaming.
I'm not even going to bother
mentioning Toronto's mayor,
we've all had enough of him.
Well, except maybe those peo-
ple that keep buying his T-shirts
and bobbleheads.
So what makes people look
the other way when it comes to
celebrities and their bad behav-
iour? Would they be as forgiv-
ing if the culprit was their
friend or neighbour?
I hope that one day we'll be
able to get back to appreciating
stars for their talent, rather
than their extracurricular
activities.
Have an opinion?
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