The Rural Voice, 1983-08, Page 26National rabbit
association
turned down
Producer support for a national rabbit
breeders' organization under the
Livestock Registration Act was turned
down at the annual meeting of the Cana-
dian Rabbit Association held recently in
Kemptville
Approximately 50 people were in atten-
dance. Four organizations from Ontario
and four organizations from Quebec were
represented, as well as the P.E.I. Rabbit
Breeders.
Joyce and Bill Dickey and Mavis and
Bill Knapman were the local represen-
tatives, representing rabbit breeders
through the Huron County Federation of
Agriculture and through the South Huron
Rabbit Breeders Association.
The meeting started with head table in-
troductions by the chairman Wayne Gillis,
Director of Animal Production Branch of
Agriculture Canada. Gillis then explained
Agriculture Canada's role at the meeting
saying that they were completely neutral.
Gillis introduced Cal MacWilliams of
The Livestock Registration Branch who
explained the position of their Branch.
Luc Begin of The Livestock Registration
FARM NEWS
Branch reported on the information
meeting held In Orono on June 18, 1983.
The Agenda of the meeting was approv-
ed and Lee Coates of the Founding Com-
mittee of the Canadian Rabbit Associa-
tion made a presentation on their behalf.
Although his original proposal insisted
on a specific registration plan for rabbits
and a vague marketing system, he acted
very meek in his presentation.
Nine speakers representing rabbit
groups in attendance replied, stating their
preference and objections. The lack of
communication was one of the major con-
cerns.
The concensus of the people in atten-
dance was that a national rabbit organiza-
tion was desirable, but not under the
Livestock Registration Act. The group pre-
sent agreed that any association formed
must have complete input from rabbit
breeders across Canada.
After lunch a question and answer
period lasted for about an hour.
Bill Dickey requested that Coates
withdraw his application for a Canadian
Rabbit Association under the National
Livestock Act, explaining that the old
structure of the Canadian Rabbit Associa-
tion had to be torn down before a new
Association could be built.
The chairman polled the floor for
answers. The majority, in favour of a Na•
tional Association, felt that incorporation
in the National Livestock Act was a
stumbling block. The majority felt that
Coates and the founding committee
should withdraw their application.
A motion was made by Bill Woodman
and seconded by Frances Coates, both of
the founding committee, to withdraw. It
was carried.
A steering committee of five people was
nominated to set up a working group
representing all rabbit breeders in all the
provinces to work on forming a national
organization. Two people from Ontario,
two people from Quebec and one from
P.E.I. form the steering committee.
Agriculture Canada agreed to assist In
the secretarial work for the committee to
offset the financing.
Once the steering committee has Its
working group set up, its work is done and
it will be disbanded. The working commit-
tee is to meet in 18 months to work out
any differences and be ready to form a na-
tional association in three years.
The meeting closed with most people
satisfied. Coates was somewhat dissap-
pointed but relieved that he no longer had
to "buck" most of the rabbit breeders in
the country.
Bill Dickey
South Huron Rabbit
Breeders Association
WE ARE NOW
READY TO RECEIVE
your
WHEAT and WHITE BEANS
KEN R.
CAMPBELL
FARMS LTD.
R. R. 1 Dublin 527-0249
PG. 24 THE RURAL VOICE, AUGUST 1983