The Rural Voice, 1998-06, Page 27dr
16
said in 1992 that 'agriculture would
regain its fair share of government
support,' the budget has dropped
from $450 million to $293 million
since. Now is the time to reinvest in
core programs," says Newman.
The Farmers of Ontario are not
focused solely on inspection,
he says, but want up to $160
million returned to agriculture for
research, market development and
environmental projects, over the next
two to three years.
For Gerhard Metzger of Metzger
Meats in Hensall, he sees the
government pushing inspection costs
onto the abattoir owners as unfair as
it is the consumer who wins.
"Meat inspection is essential to the
industry," he says, "however, the
larger plants are able to work more
efficiently because of larger animal
units. The issue of having to pay for
extra inspection time is very
controversial."
Though Metzger says his facility
"It's not our
responsibility to
pay inspectors"
did not get off too badly, receiving
the required number of inspection
hours, he says plants which are
inefficient may not be able to afford
the added costs for inspectors.
"It is not our responsibility to pay
inspectors."
While some abattoir owners may
see' the forced efficiency as another
tax on their time and resources, from
the industry's view, top -functioning
plants which meet all standards for
safe operation, are being demanded
by the consumer.
"Food safety is at the heart of this,"
says Laurie Murdock, executive
director of Independent Meat
Packers.
"There were some cuts made in
previous years to recognize
inefficiencies. Everyone deals in the
same market and everyone is going
through the changes."
The new system ensures every
operator gets a fair share of
inspection hours through quarterly
reports. Inspectors and owners are
able to see how many hours are
needed.
"If they maintain efficiency rates
comparable to others of equal size,
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JUNE 1998 23