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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-04-16, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1986. PAGE 23. Huron hog producers want 'Right to Farm' legislation Wayne Fear of the Huron County Pork Producers presented a brief to the Member of Parliament dinner held by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture Saturday in Clinton. Stronger "Right to Farm" legis- lation not tougher controls on foodland guidelines are what Huron Count pork producers want, President Wayne Fear told the annual Huron County Federation of Agriculture Member of Parlia- ent dinner in Clinton on Saturday. He said current foodland guide- lines work as much against the farmer as for him. "A new farmer may be only able to build to a certain size. A dwelling may have been built at the prescribed distance while the farm build-up went on and when a certain number of animal units has been reached, the farmer is prevented from building up to a practical opera- tion." What is needed instead, he said, is to give the farmer priority in land designated for agriculture and let anyone build as close to a smelly or noisy farm as they wish but they would have no right to complain. But Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell disagreed. "We wouldn't have to have an agricultural code of practice if we had been smart enough to not allow severences in farmland in the first place," he said in reply. Mr. Fear and Mr. Riddell also crossed swords over the tri -partite stabilization program. While Mr. Fear congratulated the govern- ment on its strong support of the program, he said he had com- plaints from weaner pig producers who felt there should be abetter way of administering the program. Mr. Riddell said these were the first complaints from weaner producers he had heard and that those he had spoken to had been "tickled pink" with the split that saw 65 per cent of the subsidy go to the finished hog and 35 per cent to the producer of the weaner pig. Free trade was also a bone of contention between the two men. ` ` We have no fear of freer trade with the United States or with anyone, but it mustalso be fair with equal support by both govern- ments," Mr. Fear said. At one point, he said, 17 per cent of pork consumption in Canada came from the U.S. but now that the flow is going the other way, the Ameri- cans are complaining. "It is for this reason that it is imperative for Canadian agricul- ture to be part of the trade Citizen classified - Only $250 negotiations soon to begin," Mr. Fear said. "The U.S. Congress must be made aware that the subsidies available under the new Farm Bill are much more far-reaching than anything available in Canada. This can only be done if we participate in the talks. The park industry in particular must be alert not to be traded for protection of supply managed commodities." While Murray Cardiff said he doesn't feel there is such a thing as "free trade" he said Canadians have to talk to the Americans because "they have made state- ments I don't agree with" regard- ing supposed subsidies of things such as potatoes. While Canada may be sending potatoes into Maine on the east coast, he said, Oregon is sending potatoes into British Columbia on the west. Mr. Riddell was not so accepting of the concept of free trade. "Pork producers talk about free trade but it's a pretty funny free trade when the Americans can countervail saying things like the land tax rebate and Record of Performance testing are unfair subsidies to Canadians," he said. "I have real concerns about free trade and what it will do," he said. Beef men are strong supporters of free trade he said but have they looked at the processing end of the business, he wondered. Research shows the Americans are far ahead of Canadians in the technology of food processing and they also have a labour cost advantage. If there is free trade American processors could put Canadian processors out of business and once that happen- ed, "why would Americans want to buy Canadian hogs and cattle if they're processing down there." The U.S. can easily grow enough hogs and cattle to fill the entire Canadian consumer need, he said. Health Minister Murray Elston Apples All of April Most kinds and grades Controlled atmosphere MACS SPYS TALMENSWEETS DELICIOUS- RED & YELLOW MUTSU EMPIRE IDA RED KINGS WINESAP -Limited supply of some varieties Apple Butter Cider Red & White Shelburne Potatoes OPEN DAILY9A.M.-5:30P.M. CLOSED SUNDAYS Mait-side Orchards West end Brussels 887-6883 also spoke out against free trade saying that in its efforts to please the Americans and get trade talks started. the federal government seems to be willing to give American drug manufacturers the exclusive right to market their drugs in Canada. (The federal government has discussed refus- ing to let generic drug manufactur- ers let the patents of brand name drug manufacturers for a licencing fee.) This move would cost his ministry $35 to 40 million a year, Mr. Elston said and various ministries in competition for limit- ed funds, it might mean less money for agriculture. "My concern is that if there is a desire in the U.S. not to get into negotiations and we go ahead with appeasing American concerns, it could have a terrible -cost for Canada." Adrian Vos, former director of the Pork Producers Marketing Board said that his information was that the packing companies were not afraid of U.S. competition and said that farmers must be at the bargaining table. Mr. Riddell agreed that Canadians must bar- gain but said his ministry has been told to look at the effect of free trade in every aspect of agriculture. Mr. Fear asked Mr. Cardiff why the federal government didn't put a countervailing tariff on U.S. grain coming into Canada because of the heavy subsidization it receives under the new farm bill. Mr. Cardiff said he would rather work to get the U.S. tariff taken off Canadian hogs. THE PROBLEM: Lightweight or immature pigs at weaning. THE SOLUTION: CRATE -MATE — CRATE -MATE The PROBLEM SOLVER at weaning. 'Gui Conditioning Formula" nnances digestion and fights scours. CRATE -MATE — Before weaning as creep feed. After weaning as the sow replacer. Bridge the gap between sow's milk and conventional pig starters with CRATE -MATE — The PROBLEM SOLVER. Ask your local feed supplier about the Central Soya's 50% off one pail offer. Valid for April 1986 only. CENTRAL SOYA Available at: TOPNOTCH FEEDS LTD. Brussels 887-6011 Farm and Commercial buildings Kase Vanden Heuvel onstruction Co. Ltd.. Kase Vanden Heuvel 524-9176 R.R. 2 Goderich or Ken Janmaat 527-1858 Seaforth (after 6 p.m.) B W. II PIM A NII