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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-11-18, Page 61 1 Free Trade and the farmer *The following is the first in a series of ar- ticles on how the proposed Free Trade Agreement could affect the Canadian agriculture and food industries: The answers to the questions being asked have been provided by Agriculture Canada and they would be interested in hearing your questions and concerns. Agriculture Canada's Trade Policy Division can be reached at 1-613-993-6671. Over the next few weeks, this series on Agriculture and Free Trade will cover such areas of the industry as livestock, poulty, dairy and food processing. If a Free Trade Agreement could effect your operation, it is in your best interest to keep informed. This week, we'll 'deal with grain production. Q. How will the agreement affect future exports of Canadian grains and oilseeds to the U.S. ? A. There will be more secure access and increased opportunities for „ exports of grains, oilseeds and their products so long— as there are no significant changes in the grain support programs in either country that would lead to a significant change in imports from the other country. Q. Why is it that import licenses for oats and barley may be eliminated upon entry into force of the agreement but not wheat ? A. Levels of government support in the two countries are currently closer to being equal for oats and barley than for wheat. In the United States, programs of assistance, in particular deficiency payments, have provided significantly higher levels of support for wheat pro- ducers than for those of oats and barley. U.S. support for wheat is currently significantly higher than in Canada. It is possible that levels of assistance in the two countries could be equal by January 1989 for oats and barley. In the event that sup- port levels are not equal between the two countries, import licenses Will not be removed at the time the agreement enters into force. Q. Frequent reference is being made to "levels of support". What is meant by this term and how will it be measured? A. All elements of government support, ex- ceptthat do not distort forthose programs production or trade, will be included. These support measures will be compared on a per unit basis or possibly expressed as an overall measure of support. Q. Once import licenses for a particular grain are eliminated, does this apply to all uses and to all classes of that grain A. Once import licenses are eliminated for a particular grain, they will be eliminated for all classes of that grain, whether it is high quality or feed quality grain, in- cluding flour and grain products. Q. Will entry of U.S. grain into the com- mercial handling and transportation system be monitored in any way ? A. Imports of U.S. grain will not be allowed to disrupt the Canadian quality control system or.to be shipped to export position under the low freight rates provided by the Western Grain Transportation Act. Movements into Canada will be controlled by a requirement for end-use certificates to accompany imported grain. Such grain will have to be consigned directly, to a mill- ing, manufacturing, brewing or distilling facility. Q. Will import licefiws on wheat, oats, barley and grain products continue to app- ly against imports (pm countries other than the United States? A. Yes, the agreement is intended to create a Free Trade Area as provided for in the GATT. Under the GATT, countries in a Free Trade Area ire allowed to main- tain barriers to trade with third countries. Import licenses for wheat, oats, barley and grain products will continue to be a re- quirement for imports from countries other than the United States . even after they are removed from the U.S. Q. WM it take the whole 10 -year period for all tariffs to be eliminated ? 0 A. In general, a 10 -year phase out is plann- ed, beginning in 1989. However, there may be e instances where the tariff e 'na ' • n maight be speeded up, say, over a pe iod of five years. Next week in the Sentinel, look for answers as they apply to Free Trade and the dairy industryr in Canada. The Huron County Junior Farmers have produced and donated a number of Agricultural Kits to 36 schools in the county in an effort to promote an awareness in agriculture among our school aged children. Here, Audrey Ritchie, president of the West Huron Junior Farmers, presents one of the Ag. Kits to the Lucknow and District Christian School. Principal Etty Broer was on hand to accept the.genourous donation. (Pat Livingston photo) Lucknow SeitInel. INVESTMENTS FINANCIAL ('li;N'I'HI'. 1'?' The Squuirc (=Uticricli 1-S()0-265-5503 .m 'ednesday. November 18. 1987—Page 5 rBEST GIC RATES L11014%IGIC 93A% g3/4" 3 Yr. 2 Yr. 1 Yr. Short Term ro.:111111111111111111111111111111111111 11111.1.1. 411 MI ■I SALES - SERVICE INSTALLATION i1 I1 1 it 11111(1111 c'13DASHWOOD WINDOW AND DOOR CENTRE INVENTORY CLEARANCE 1st Quality Brand New Merchandise *GREAT FALL SAVINGS* Two Locations To Serve You Better WALKERTON Corner of Hwy. 9 south and Industrial Road 881-3626 OWEN SOUND Corner of Hwy. 70 and Concession 1 (opposite Drive -In) 371-5353 JEROME FEED and SEED (Across from Lucknow Sales _Barn) LUCKNOW 528-2447 new- . feeds OPENING DAY LE Wedrldsiiay, November 5, 1987 "?wcS.•rrs5 • Dairy: 35% Dairy Supplement NU top Dress 40 kg bag 38% Dairy Supplement NU Pellets 40 kg bag 38% Dairy Supp NU w/20% Soybeans Pellets 40 kg bag 19% Golden Blend Calf Starter Grower w/7.5% Soybeans 25 kg bag 16% Golden Blend Dairy Ration NU 40 kg bag A complete line of Minerals for your dairy herd Beef: 32% Beef4u lement pp NU Pellets e ets 14% Golden Blend Veal Ration NU w/5% Soybeans 38% Veal Supplement NU Pellets Swine: Golden Blend Pig Power Starters **NEW** 16% Hog Grower Pellets 40% Hog Supplement -Pellets 15% Sow Ration Pellets Poultryl6% Lay Ration 18% Lay Ration Horse 14% Golden Blend Horse Ration 40 kg bag 40 kg bag 40 kg bag 20 kg bag 40 kg bag 40 kg bag 40kgb 25 kg bag .]25 kg bag 25 kg bag $1.00 off per bag $1.00off per bag $1.00 off per bag $1.00 off per bag $1,00 off pe`r bag FREE COFFEE AND DONUTS' COME ON. IN AND SEE US! / teti