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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-08-28, Page 1Whipped to a frenzy The race was on as Michelle Smith-Workman tried to find all the Skittles in a plate full of whipped cream before her competitor. The contest was part of a wind-up to the Ark's Junior Summer Rec Program, a "Let's Make a Mess Carnival", last Friday. With chocolate, jello and candies, there were enough treats to guarantee a sweet end to the program. Feature 12 page section salutes the local teams of minor ball and soccer See inside Farm McKillop farm hosts Huron County plowing match See page 26 Entertainment Stratford's `Godot' a symbolic play of life passing by See page 35 The North Huron itizen Vol. 12 No. 34 Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1996 700+ 50 GST 750 OPP urging motorists to drive safe and sober It was mostly a love-in for Feder- al Minister of Agriculture Ralph Goodale when he talked to about 100 representatives of the agricul- ture industry on a visit to Huron County last Wednesday — or it would have been if the county's beef producers had stayed home. "We have been very disappointed in this Liberal government," said Jack Flanagan, representing the Huron County Beef Producers. He proceeded to tackle Goodale on a number of issues including the gov- ernment's agreement to allow 76,000 tonnes of off-shore beef (from all countries except the U.S.) and a recent decision to allow 5,000 tonnes of European beef (which Flanagan said was subsi- dized beef); worries that a new cost-recovery meat inspection sys- tem might erode consumer confi- dence and cost so much it would make Canadian beef uncompeti- tive; and worries that a recent deci- sion to allow the quarantining of some illegally-imported Chilean alpacas might undermine the cur- rent health of animals protocol for imported livestock. Goodale argued that the 76,000 tonne import allotment agreed to under the World Trade Organiza- tion (WTO) seemed consistent with the level of imports in most years prior to 1993 except those when U.S. import restrictions caused diversion of off-shore beef to Cana- da. He noted that imports have been steadily declining, dropping from 115,000 tonnes in 1994 to 82,000 in 1995 and that imports are running 20 per cent lower in 1996 than 1995. The 5,000 tonnes permitted from the European community came after the Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided the coun- tervailing duty imposed on Euro- pean beef in 1986 could be relaxed because the level of subsidy was not as large as it once was. The 5,000 tonnes represents roughly ment's support in apparently win- ning the U.S. challenge under NAFTA to import tariffs on those commodities. But egg producer Jim McIntosh expressed frustration with a court decision that allowed egg producers in the Northwest 'Territories to produce eggs without a quota. Goodale said he would be work- ing to promote negotiation on the issue. "I hear your point that this could undermine the national mar- keting situation," he told McIntosh. It must be frustrating to egg pro- ducers to have surplus eggs from an unregulated area enter a regulated area which requires the producers in the regulated area to have to pay to have the surplus removed, while the people who produced the eggs don't have to share in the cost, Goodale said. In the area of speeding registra- tion of new pesticides, Goodale admitted it's a frustrating situation but said more progress has been made in the last seven months than in the past several years. "At least part of the solution is recognizing the science of the other side of the border," Goodale said. "If they've done the science we don't need to reinvent the wheel." However, he said, negotiating any- thing with the U.S. in an election year is difficult. Goodale attended the annual bar- becue of Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle in Varna, then moved on to Bruce County where he visited the farm of Ontario Federation of Agri- culture President Tony Morris at Mildmay. one third of one week's production, he said. "One condition I want to insist on is that it (European beef) must be entirely within the 76,000 TRQ." Currently, he said, there is no room under the TRQ since it is assigned to New Zealand and Australia. Mostly Goodale received praise from representatives of supply managed sectors for his govern- Here's the beef Jack Flanagan, right, representing the Huron County Beef Producers disCusses issues with Agricultural Minister Ralph Goodale when he attended Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle's annual barbecue in Varna last week. Huron Beef farmer tells Minister of Ag. `We're disappointed' The Goderich Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is urging motorists to be extra cautious this coming holiday weekend, as the Labour Day period is particularly busy in terms of traffic volume on Ontario highways and secondary roadways. As Labour Day marks the last long weekend of traditional summer travel, many people will be visiting family and friends while others will be retreating to cottages and campsites. Also, students preparing to resume classes will be moving personal effects to university and college campuses across the province. In order to cope with this increased volume of traffic, the OPP are asking drivers to be patient and courteous. Its suggested that planning extra time for travel will reduce the impulse to speed and take chances while driving. During last year's Labour Day weekend, 10 people were killed on Ontario highways and two people died in boating mishaps investigated by the OPP. Eighty per cent of these collisions were the result of aggressive driver behaviour or involved alcohol and could have been prevented, police said. "Every year, many lives are lost in Ontario during the Labour Day weekend," said Const. John Continued on page 7