The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 20IN THE NEWS
Red Meat Industry
Brief presented
by Mary Lou Weiser
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food
spent 60 million dollars on emergency
beef assistance last year. Such an
appalling payout caused the government
to take action and it is attempting to
formulate a plan for the crippled red meat
industry whereby farmers can survive and
earn a suitable living.
Any plan that is adopted must have the
support and backing of the producer if it
is to succeed. For this reason, the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
has conducted studies and set up a
series of seven meetings throughout the
province designed to discuss and listen
to views of producers at a grassroots
level. One such well attended meeting,
was held recently in Walkerton with
William Doyle, Assistant Deputy Minister
of Marketing and Development for OMAF
listening to and recording briefs and
comments presented by farm organiza-
tions and individuals.
Opinions were varied among the briefs
presented, but one common point was
very clear. Something must be done and
done quickly if the red meat industry is to
survive in Ontario.
Mark MacAuley, speaking on behalf of
the Bruce County Pork Producers felt
that either a free unrestricted market or
supply management are two possible
options. "Farmers would rather get
money from the market place if at all
possible." MacAuley said. He feels there
is a definite need for stabilization money
in the next two years, adding that
stabilization is the easiest but possibly
not the best solution. About 30 per cent
of producers support stabilization in
short-term difficulties, however, Doyle
cautions that the government is con-
straining its expenditures and there are
not a lot of funds available.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is
considering a tripartite stabilization pro-
gram involving one-third share of funds
from each of three involved parties: the
producer, and provincial and federal
governments. With this program, money
would be available should red meat
prices drop below a level consistent with
surrounding cost input figures. Full
co-operation from the provinces is es-
sential if this program is to work and it is
hoped that this will be achieved when the
Provincial Ministers of Agriculture meet
in P.E.I. in July. Results of producer
PG. 18 THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983
Over 150 people attended a meeting on the red meat industry held in Walkerton and
listened to briefs expressing concern for the industry's future.
Briefs were presented to government representative Bill Doyle [standing, centre] at
the red meat hearings held in Walkerton recently. Photo includes, from left: Gil
Shaw, recording secretary; Doyle; Dr. Ken McDermid and Harry Klages presenting
a brief on behalf of The Grey County Cattlemen's Association.
input from the seven meetings across
Ontario will be included in Ontario
Minister of Agriculture, Dennis Timbrell's
report.
Harry Klages, representing the Grey
County Cattlemen's Association felt that
stabilization is important but at a
stop -loss level. Klages also sighted the
advantage of having an open border of
trade with the U.S. since the American
market can easily absorb Canadian red
meat exports.
Ross Proctor, a Huron Cattle Associa-
tion member, agreed with Klages on the
importance of free trade and would like to
see a lowering of tariffs and no provincial