The Rural Voice, 1979-04, Page 21Dr. Bob Friendship and Dr. Chuck Robbins
demonstrating some swine - herd health
techniques at the program at the Seaforth
Veterinarian Clinic. The day long seminar
sponsored by Huron County Federation of
Agriculture and the Huron County Pork
Producers included demonstrations on
herd health and commentaries by a
Huron
number of speakers. Speakers included Dr.
Peter Oliver, of the Veterinary Services
Branch, Guelph; Bev Brown, Bluevale area
pork producer who talked on barn
procedures; Richard Smelsky, OMAF; and
Dr. B. Nuhn, who discussed the handling
of drugs and vaccines. Dr. Stan Alkemade
of the Seaforth Clinic also participated in
the herd health demonstrations.
Feds criticized for Igck
of spending on research
Government expenditures on
agriculture, food research and develop-
ment were termed "inadequate" recently
by Dick Huggard, president of the Agri-
cultural Institute of Canada (AIC). Mr.
Huggard told the three major political
parties in Ottawa that increased funding
should be made available to encourage
highler levels of research activity in both
the private and public sectors.
The lack of qualified personnel was cited
as one reason for inadequate research.
Fewer Canadians are deciding to enter
postgraudate work in agricultural research
due to the low stipends available.
Mr. Huggard told the politicians while
the rega;ations regarding the use of
herbicides and pesticides are adequate,
more research is needed into the use of
antibiotics in animal feed and improved
techniques for detecting chemical residues
in slaughtered animals is required.
The AIC president also urged the three
political parties to support the develop-
ment of a national land use policy. Prime
agriculture land is still being lost for urban
development, pipelines and transportation
and other communication routes.
The AIC recommended that the federal
government set an example for the
provinces by using capability for food
productions as the major component in its
own land use decisions.
directors report OFA lawyer will help at OMB
BY JIM MCINTOSH
The Ontario Government has again refused to remove the
retail sales tax from on farm grain storage bins. The Government
stated their reasons, as the bins were of multi use and also that
the grain storage facilities so constructed could be sold away
from the farm.
REPORT ON CFA CONVENTION
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is quite concerned
about the guidelines for the National Farm Products Marketing
Board announced by Agriculture Minister Eugene Whalen, at
the time he appointed Mrs. June Menzies as the new Chairman
of the Board.
The CFA has taken on a crusade to have the Federal
Government provide more precise and up to date weather
reports for Agriculture.
HURON COUNTY FEDERATION'S OPPOSITION TO R1. -
ZONL'G FOR RESTAURANT IN GODERICH HARBOUR AREA
The OFA Board of Directors approved Huron Peceration of
Agriculture's request to have OFA legal Counsel, Jim Murray
assist the H.F.A. at an O.M.B. hearing, if necessary.
ONTARIO FOOD ENQUIRY
Peter Hannam reported on his attendance at the hearing being
held by Justice Leach, where Petei p. esentcd a 25 page verbal
brief and also tabled a documeiiu d 53 page brief for the
information of the Enquiry. Peter called for a Civil Rights Code
for Businessmen as a necessary first step to return real
competition to the food industry.
Turnberry annual hears about
Ghana's subsistence farmers _
Belmore—"Farmers have no organization and receive no
government help," says Dr. Bruce Hunter of Ghana's
agriculture.
Dr. Hunter, who was speaking at the Turnberry Federation
Annual Meeting, Feb. 13, went on to say that over 80% of
Ghana's people are subsistence farmers.
Ghana supplies about half the world's cocoa. Their cocoa
marketing board is a political board. They buy cheap from the
farm; rs and sell for as much as possible. This system
encourages blackmarketing and smuggling. Residents of
Togo will pay several times the Ghana price for cocoa.
Dr. Hunter spent 2 years in Ghana as part of the extension
services of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He
taught farmers there very basic farming principles.
The Turnberry Federation Executive elected for the coming
year are: President, Glen McMichael; 1st vice-president,
Louise Marritt; 2nd vice-president, Aart De Vos; County
Director, Mac Willits; Secretary, Hilda Filsinger; Line
Directors, Doug Filsinger, Aart De Vos, Mac Willits, Louise
Marritt, Mabel Bos, Arnold Jeffray.
THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1979 PG. 19