HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-13, Page 7Letter to the editor
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2005. PAGE 7.
2005 brings dose of good news for livestock industry
THE EDITOR,
Like the arrival of spring, one
might expect the arrival of a new
year to bring new hope and the
promise of better things ahead.
Rarely does it work like that, but
2005 arrived with a welcomed dose
of good news for Canadian livestock
producers.
After 20 months of tremendous
loss and suffering for farmers and a
number of others associated with the
livestock sector in Canada, the
United States announced it will be
lifting many of the restrictions placed
on imports of Canadian livestock as a
result of BSE. Although the change
won't kick in until March, the
announcement helps restore
confidence.
The strength of the U.S. conviction
to lift the restrictions was tested the
day following its declaration when
Canadian officials announced the
possible discovery of a second BSE
case in Canada. Even after that case
was confirmed, the U.S. restated that
it is proceeding with its plans to
accept Canadian livestock within
announced guidelines.
While Canada's livestock sector
has suffered because of BSE, it must
be prepared to benefit from the
lessons learned. BSE made it
abundantly clear that placing the
future of an entire sector in the hands
of another nation should never be
allowed to happen again. We nee-d to
remember the value of matching our
production capabilities with our
processing capabilities.
A number of new processing plants
are in the planning stage, the
construction stage or the renovation
stage. These projects must be
completed and planning done for the
sector’s future processing needs.
BSE emphasized the value of farm
organizations working together in
search of solutions to a common
problem. Efforts to get government
assistance programs in place to help
the livestock sector brought the
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association,
the Canadian Federation of
Agriculture, their provincial
counterparts and a number of
professional organizations together
to develop and present the case for
aid programs.
These joint efforts put millions of
dollars of assistance money into the
hands of producers.
Granted, it didn't all arrive at the
optimum time, but with the promise
of its arrival, many banks and
suppliers continued to support
producers through the crisis.
Farm organizations will need to
continue to monitor the financial
needs of producers well beyond the
March dQte when most Canadian
livestock will be allowed into the
United States.
We want to ensure government
programs already announced and in
place are maintained until the
devastating impacts of BSE on our
livestock sector have passed.
Farmers and their organizations
should be prepared to recognize the
work of the politicians and
bureaucrats throughout the process.
We must give them thanks for the
eventual lifting of the border bans,
and continue to work to restore
border regulations to pre-May 20.
2003. conditions.
Producers and their families also
deserve recognition for their efforts
organizations to examine future
marketing alternatives.
marketing strategies necessary to
work there.
We have looked at potential
livestock markets in other areas of
the world and now have a better
BSE has been an expensive lesson
for Canadian producers. OFA thanks
its members for their support and
to survive the BSE crisis.
Many of them played a significant
role in taking the message of need to
advice during the process.
Ron Bonnett, OFA
understanding of how
market areas could I
Tsunami assistance
Close to $1,000 was raised by the students and staff at Hullett Central Public School last week
for helping those affected by the tsunami in south Asia. The student council approached the
staff on Jan. 3 in regards to contributing to the relief effort. The school was to present the
money to the Avon Maitland District School Board who would send it to the Canadian Red
Cross. Student council members, from left, Danielle Bean, vice-secretary; Tyler Middegaal,
vice-president; Sheldon Reid, vice-treasurer; Kyle Middegaal, president and Krista Rozendal,
secretary, were busy counting the money on Friday afternoon. Absent is Jenessa Dalton,
treasurer. (Jim Brown photo)
Support overwhelming
Continued from page 6
has been overwhelming, as we hear
of the huge sums of money which
have already been sent in an effort
to help, in some way, to alleviate the
suffering in the affected areas.
In the Canadian urban
communities people have dropped
into the Red Cross and other centres
to make their donations. But in the
rural communities where there are
no such centres available, persons
wishing to make donations in that
manner have to avail themselves of
different options.
Websites have been suggested as
one alternative, and also making
donations through your local
church.
However, if a person does not
wish to make a donation on-line, or
has no church affiliation, other
options might include making a
payment through a bank, the local
branch of The Salvation Army, or in
a collection box which may have
been placed for donations in a
prominent place in your community,
e.g. local schools, fire halls, police
stations, post offices, township
offices, stores, etc.
Cheques may also be sent to:
Canadian Red Cross, Ontario
Office, 5700 Cancross Court,
Mississauga, ON L5R 3E9.
If we all make a contribution,
even if we are unable to make a very
large one, when combined with
many others, it will still most
certainly make a very significant
difference to those who have lost so
much.
Tax receipts will be given for
income tax purposes if requested,
and the federal government will also
match dollar for dollar the amounts
given. This will obviously double
the amount of your donation and its
effectiveness.
Although none of us is able to
alleviate the greatest loss of all, the
loss of life of those nearest and
dearest to the victims and to the
survivors, we can all try to help
meet the overwhelming financial
needs of our fellow human beings,
and also pray for those who
survived and who have to try to
rebuild their lives.
Kay Roberts, Belgrave.
Heartland Community Credit Union is
accepting donations at all branch
locations towards disaster relief for
e victims of the devastating tsunamis in
? southeast Asia.
John McKercher
Construction Ltd.
" • Licensed Septic
Installations
• Screened A Field Topsoil ,
Bark Mulch • Sand • Gravel
Fill • Backhoeing • Bulldozing1
• Excavating <|
■ * Loading A Hauling mJ
Donations of $10.00 or more will
receive a charitable donation tax
receipt.
Funds will be channelled through the
Canadian Red Cross, which will be the
organization to issue the receipt.
Please Give Generously.
Head Office, Clinton Exeter Branch
48 Ontario Street,
Clinton
Ph. (519) 482-3466
Fax (519) 4U2-3743
118 Main Street,
Exeter,
Ph. (519) 235-0640
Fax (519) 235-0261
Listowel Branch
161 Inkerman St W.
Listowel
Ph. (519) 291-6189
Fax (519) 291-6191