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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-04-07, Page 8tow " Page 8 Times-Advocate, April 7, 1977 future Stephen formers told land use vital to nation's cornerstones on which our prosperous nation was built. I have every reason to believe that it will in the long run prove to be vital factor in. our continuing prosperity and in demonstrating that Canada is an important member of the world community, system is totally opposed to the wishes of Ontario farmers," "Farmers fear that, that payment of taxes by the Province would be tantamount to govern- ment control of this land, that their status as independent businessmen is being steadily eroded and the proposed changes in tax structure Might bepartof a trend which would ultimately lead to Government dictating what and how much to produce," he continued. In conclusion, Riddell said, "Agriculture was one of the Members of the Stephen Federation of Agriculture were told Wednesday by Huron- Middlesex MPPIc Riddell that the question of farmland, its productivity, and protection is vital to the future prosperity of this province and this country. Riddell was the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Stephen Federation held at the Stephen Community Centre in Crediton and he dealt mainly with land use and property tax reforms. On land use, Riddell said he doubted if proposed guidelines Would be effective unless in- ORDER NOW LIQUID 28 % NITROGEN million Canadians, They can be proud of their ability to produce high quality, safe, clean and nutritious food; that the export of excess Canadian agricultural products is an important factor in maintaining a favourable balance of trade for Canada, In the first 11 months of 1976, Canada exported $34.7 billion worth of goods, of which $3,9 billion were agricultural products. We imported $34.4 billion worth of goods, of which $2.6 billion were agricultural products. This one and a quarter billion dollar surplus of agricultural products is what happen after the next provincial election, He points out that the move merely aims to restrict the growth of cities. There's no desire to redirect growth," Riddell continued, Unless industry is given in- centives to locate on inferior land the assault on prime farmland will continue according to the local MPP. Riddell continued saying, "Canadian farmers can be justifiably proud of the fact that, although they represent only 5 percent of the population of this nation, they are producing enough food to feed more than 23 centives are provided to draw development away from prime agricultural land to areas of poor arable land. No such incentives have yet been announced. Riddell continued, "The Minister of Agriculture has made it quite plain that development will be allowed on first quality land when there's no alternative. But, what ,happens if municipalities ignore these guidelines." "OFA president Peter Hannan' has described the Green Paper as "carefully planned compromise, a skillful political move. There's no clear indication what will A high performance nitrogen source for winter wheat, spring grains, corn and white beans K. STEPHEN FEDERATION MEETS — The annual banquet of the Stephen Federation of Agriculture was held Wednesday in Crediton. Above, guest speaker Huron-Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell talks with NOW WITH TWO MACHINES TO SERVE YOU BETTER secretary While we must all be concerned with the agricultural industry and its place in Canada—the domestic aspects of farmers' endeavours—we must also be concerned about the world-wide situation. In the period between 1973 and 1975, a world food shortage reached almost disaster proportions for poor countries experiencing production problems. Their difficulties were compounded by the rising prices of imported foods and essential agricultural inputs such as oil, fertilizers and pest control chemicals. At about the same time, scientific groups began to worry openly about changes in world climate which could affect agricultural output adversely. Acute concerns arose about the adequacy of food supply from finite resources to feed a growing world population. World supply prospects appear less stale than ever, with the possibility of alternating shor- tages (costly to consumers) and surpluses (costly to producing countries). The traditional in- ternational issues of demand, supply, price stability in com- mercial and aid-financed markets, and the optimum way to encourage agricultural development in low-income countries have become more acute. The manner in which Canada responds to basic international developments must surely be strongly influenced by the present condition of Canadian agriculture and by the adequacy of established Canadian in- stitutions to deal with newly perceived aspects of some very old problems. Potential world food needs are substantially above the existing level of supply since most of the population is undernourished: and numbers are increasing. There is, therefore, some scope for expansion of exports from countries such as Canada, even though that is unlikely to be the main source of growth of supply to consuming countries. Economically and politically, possibly the most viable method for the world to meet the great proportion of growing food requirements is more effective development of agriculture within poor countries. A com- prehensive attempt must be made to evolve agricultural policies which take into account long-term considerations and,,top move toward programs con- sistent with consumer and producer satisfaction, produc- tivity improvement, and the fulfilment of Canada's objectives in the aid and development field. On the subject of property tax reforms, Riddell said, "Just last week the Blair Commission recommended that the farmer pay 10 percent of the tax on farmland and farm buildings (other than the family residence) with the Government paying the other 90 percent, Whether the Government pays 90 to 100 percent is irrevelant. Either Wallop Root-Worms Now Mensal! Co-op has a second sprayer unit in operation which assures you of custom application when you need it. See us about a weed and feed program that will fit your needs. Contact HENSALL CO-OP 262-3002 For Custom Application HENSALL kilgOja:flERBIODE FOR BEANS and GRASSES. El IT'S A 1-101J10 That makes Afesin convenient, to handle and easy to apply, There's no .carryover residue the following year. • ECONOMICAL. TO,USE Stephen past president Glenn Miller, newly elected president Jim Patterson, vice-presidents Doug Lightfoot and Roger Ratz and Jim Mo hock. T-A photo saved Canada from haling a trade deficit of about one billion dollars, Approximately the same was true for 1975. Farm productivity is an im- portant factor in creating jobs for Canadians—approximately 300,000 jobs in Ontario alone, About 12 percent of the working force in Canada—nine and a half million workers—are employed in food related jobs. Farmers make a major con- tribution to Canada's Gross National Product. The net value added for farm products is between 9 percent and 10 percent of the total Canadian domestiC production. In 1974, th4 amounted to $13 billion out of $147 billion dollars worth of goods produced. In an effort to relieve financial pressure on producers of storable crops in Canada, the federal Agriculture Minister, Gene Whelan, has introduced Bill C-2 on "Advance. Payments for Crops". Producers incur most of their total production costs by harvest time and they must then find money to pay off their debts. Often they will rush to sell just enough of their crop to cover their production costs. Accor- dingly, market congestion or depressed prices result, and a number of people depend upon this development, which can needlessly depress returns to farmers. It can also result in loss of efficiency in marketing and loss of profitability. This is why producers of storable crops, including producers of wheat, oats and barley in regions other than the Canadian Wheat Board designated area have requested a similar opportunity of receiving interest-free advances. The federal government's Advance Payments for Crops Act is designed to extend the existing program for wheat, oats and barley in the Canadian Wheat Board designated area, to ,all other storable crops such as Ontario wheat, white beans, tree fruits, cole and root crops, tobacco, soybeans, horticultural crops, etc, in the rest of Canada. The Act will provide the legislative authority for the federal government to guarantee the repayment of advance payments on storable crops. In addition it will guarantee the interest on such advance payments when they are made in accordance with the provisions of the Act, Afesin is one of the most e0onomicalherbicideS you can use. One pre=emergent Spray gives you full season control. FOR ALL MAJOR BEAN CROPS Afesin is registered forall major bean crops. Field BeanS (Kidney, White and YelloVv-eye Lima Beans, Snap Beans, Soybeans. El CONTROLS WEEDS AND GRASSES Ate* controls both annual broad leaved weeds and annual grasses. 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