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The Rural Voice, 1980-09, Page 49'Z FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE BOX 429 CLINTON, ONTARIO NOM 1L0 TELEPHONE (519) 482-9642 1VE WSLE TTER DIRECTORS' MEETING JULY 1980 President Ralph Barrie said that due to the demands of the season the last month has been very quiet. The various committees, however, have been very active and he asked 1st Vice -President Ron White to bring the board up-to-date on what they have achieved. Ron reported the Environmental Committee - George Kloster, Chairman (Oxford) has been assigned a major challenge by the Executive. During the presentation of the 1980 Brief to Cabinet, OMAF Minister Lorne Henderson, extended an invitation to the OFA to develop something to replace the Code of Practice. The assignment was given to the Environmental Committee. They have already held several meetings and will be meeting with the livestock and poultry boards and associations on July 30th. The Tax and Assessment Committee - Bruce Taylor, Chairman (Durham) will also be facing a major challenge in the near future. Ron said that the provincial government will soon be releasing a new policy on equalization factors. He feels they will be very controversial and predicted a busy summer for the committee. The Properties Committee - Ron Jones, Chairman (Simcoe) had a major triumph this last year with the passing of the new Trespass Act and Occupiers Liability Act. Ron Jones, in particular, was very active in getting the Bills through the committee stage at Queen's Park. The committee, however, is not resting on its laurels and is currently working on a number of other projects. Ron also congratulated the Membership Committee - Keith Matthie, Chairman (Grenville) for the excellent job they have done. Field Services Director, Bob Boyle, has developed a number of sale aids which will also help the membership promotion campaign. President Ralph Barrie, then had a warning for Bruce and Huron. Ralph learned at a recent meeting with the Ontario Hydro Chairman that Hydro is planning another 500 KV line. This time, no doubt due to farmer resistance over previous lines, they will be presenting four or five alternatives and will be asking the local people to help choose which will be the least disruptive. Executive member Al Kormos then told the Board about his recent activities in helping to develop the new provincial hog stabilization program. The new program will cover sow/weaners and will complement the federal program for finished hogs. CORRESPONDENCE General Manager Jack Hale next reviewed the major pieces of correspondence received during the month. In response to a resolution asking for increased crop insurance payouts for pre -planting expenses, Agriculture Minister Lorne Henderson said that while it is too late to put it in this year's plan, he has instructed his staff to consider it for next year. Ontario Hydro replied to a resolution complaining about poor hydro emergency repair in eastern Ontario by pointing out the steps they have already taken to improve service. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Wells said that he believed the present provincial government's disaster relief program is doing a good job but he would have his staff take the OFA's concerns into account when they review the program. INCOME AVERAGING The Board next turned its attention to the income averaging PG. 48 THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER 1980 program proposed by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. In brief, the program would allow farmers to place money in a special fund during good years and take it out during difficult years. Deposits would be free of income tax and no tax would be paid until the money is withdraws. Ralph Barrie said that the program is not intended to replace existing government programs. NATURAL RESOURCES WILDLIFE PROGRAM The last three-quarters of an hour of the morning session was given over to Doug Roseborough, Director of the Ministry of Natural Resources Wildlife Program. Doug said his major purpose in coming was to begin a dialogue with farmers, something he said was long overdue. The Ministry's program, he said, has three objectives: 1. to provide protection and conservation of wildlife habitat and wildlife 2. to provide facilities for an optimum number of people to have wildlife experiences 3. to provide an optimum contribution to the province's economy through encouraging tourism, etc. The Directors seemed to appreciate both his coming and the opportunity of voicing the problems they have had. •••••• OFA Members An agent for OFMA has a depot in Huron county. Members can get their supplies quickly by calling Vince Austen, R.R. 3, Goderich 529-7240. South end of county, phone Mrs. Robert Rourke, R.R. 2, Zurich 565-5365. Huron County Federation Regional Meeting September 11, 1980 8:30 P•M• LONDESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOL Les Emery will be the speaker. He is considered an authority on alternative energy sources and has been involved in developing economic systems of producing alcohol from corn and also utilizing waste material. He is chairman of the OFA Energy Committee and Regional Director from Northumberland county. •••••• IMPORTANT Regional Directors and Delegates to the OFA convention (Nov. 24-27, Toronto) will be elected at this meeting.