The Rural Voice, 1980-05, Page 45Ontario Fork
Perth County Pork Producers
Perth pork delegates
attend meeting
23 Council men from Perth County
attended the annual meeting of the
OPPMB on March 19 and 20 in Toronto. A
summary of the proceedings as issued by
the Secretary to the Board is given below.
Although the present price squeeze is
probably the foremost thing on every
producer's mind, the subject did not get
much discussion at the meeting.
Perth County delegates supported a
resolution initiated by association chair-
man president John Lichty, urging the
board to use a larger share of the
advertising budget to promote more use of
pork in the restaurant trade. It is predicted
in the 80's 50 per cent of all meals will be
eaten in restaurants, and to match future
consumption with increasing production
rates, pork needs a larger share of the
restaurant trade.
BARBECUE
Barbecue season starts soon, and the
Perth County pork barbecue will again be
available to groups and individuals.
Bookings will be taken by Gerald
Matheson, R. 1, Atwood, 356-2637. Rental
for the barbecue is $20. inside the county
and $30. outside. Users are responsible for
clean up and transportation. The operation
of the barbecue is not very difficult,
however it is preferable to have one or two
experienced persons in attendance.
STABILIZATION
No final decision has been made at the
time of writing on the extension of
stabilization payments for the last year
(ending March 31). Producers are urged to
keep all their grading certificates. The
board will give further advice.
SUPPLY MANAGEMENT
The OPPMB in letters to the federal and
provincial Ministers of Agriculture has
expressed its opposition to any national
marketing agency or supply management
as suggested by Agriculture Minister
Whelan.
O.P.P.M.B. hold annual
BY JERRY BLUHM P.Ag., Secretary to
the Board
For the 39th Annual Meeting of the
Ontario Pork :'coducers' Marketing Board
at the Constellation Hotel, Toronto, 242
Councilmen from 39 County Associations
were in attendance for the two-day
sessions. Elections to the Board of Direc-
tors from the North Zone (counties of
Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth, Wellington
and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo)
were held and five of the incumbents were
re-elected for a three year term. These
were: Murray Aberle, Waterloo; Cedric
Harrop, Wellington; Willy Keller, Perth;
Adrian Vos, Huron; and Glynn Waterton,
grey. The new Director on the Board,
representing Bruce County will be Mark
MacAuley, who replaces Keith Weeden,
retiring after a dozen year's service. Mr.
Weeden was a past Chairman of the Board
and a Vice -Chairman of the Canadian Pork
Council.
Twenty-three resolutions were debated
by the delegates with 16 of them being
approved. These dealt with the need for
proper labelling of product; the need for a
Provincial Contagious Disease Act; request
for a rate control program; concern over
late settlements and the Delayed Slaughter
Penalty Regulations; grading of sows and
handling of boars; mold problems in corn;
Veterinary Laboratory services - to mention
a few.
Much discussion centred around the
situation of "unfair competition" from the
pork industry in other provinces where
special subsidies and interest rates give
agricultural producers an advantage.
The councilmen re -affirmed their sup-
port of a vigorous promotion program,
directing the Board to give "increased
emphasis to promotion in the hotel,
restaurant and institutional trade." They
also gave approval to the efforts of
P.O.R.K. Inc. the wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Ontario Hog Producers' Association
which operates "The Pork Place" and
"Pork Pickins" and which is responsible
for developing the concept of a pork
speciality restaurant chain.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food,
Ontario, the Honourable Lorne Henderson,
was a guest at the Annual Banquet which
was highlighted by the recognition given to
the first members of the "25 Year Service
Club" of the O.P.P.M.B. These seven
employees were: Monica Luks, Ruth
Dalton, Harold Wheeler, Ted Wickens,
Marvin Milne, Bill Thomson and Bob
Sinclair. Director Weeden was also honor-
ed on his retirement and presented with a
gift from the Board.
As is their tradition, the Royal Bank of
Canada awarded prizes to the 1979 winners
of the O.P.P.M.B. sponsored Junior Bar-
row Shows. The champion was: Mr. Ken
VanAsseldonk, Oxford County, and the
runner-up was: Mr. David Filson, Middle-
sex County.
In his Chairman's Address, Howard
Malcolm urged the producer members...
"not to panic. In the long term, the hog
industry in Ontario is very sound." He
noted that, for the first time since 1940, the
production of pork in Canada (for the first
two months of 1980) is higher than beef!
Despite the large increase in production
and the resultant lower hog prices which
are contributing to the cost -squeeze on the
producer, there are two bright spots in the
situation, said Mr. Malcolm. Firstly, is the
good increase in the per capita consump-
tion of pork - over 65 pounds per person
and secondly, is the export-import situ-
ation. In 1979 Canada exported 21/2
pounds of pork for every one pound
imported.
At the Annual Meeting of 'he Ontario
Hog Producers' Association. held on
March 20th, Mr. Wally Matte of St. Ann's,
was elected President. and Mr. Jim
Goodhand of Alvinston, was elected Vice -
President.
THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1980 PG. 43