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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2005-03-17, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005. Steclde expects no quick resolution By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher There will be no quick resolution to the closure of the U.S. border to Canadian live cattle exports following a Montana court injunction and the U.S. House of Representatives vote, Huron-Bruce MPP Paul Steckle predicts. "I don’t believe the border will be open for another 18 months,” Steckle told the Huron County Federation of Agriculture’s annual members of parliament day which brings farm commodity groups together to talk to their politicians. “I think we need a made-in- CAIS draws fire at Federation’s meeting By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher The inadequacies of the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program brought heated debate when Huron’s members of parliament met with 60 farm leaders in Clinton, Saturday. Bob Hallam of Auburn, representing the corn producers, told the meeting of one young farmer who has lost money three years in a row yet still wasn’t eligible for a payout. On top of that there’s a heavy paperwork burden that means people usually have to hire an accountant to submit a claim which they may or may not get. Hallam said. Pat Down, Huron County Federation of Agriculture director. Canada solution,” Steckle said, urging an increase in slaughter capacity so live cattle did not need to be exported. There’s a proposal from a consortium in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to build a packing plant to handle 2,500 animals a day that would be funded by a fee on ear tags, he said. Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron- Bruce said slaughter capacity for all affected livestock groups, cattle, sheep and goats must all be improved. She noted the province had supported the opening of the Gencor plant for cull cows. Bob Emerson, president of the said politicians should look at the amount of money being spent on administering any program before they approve it. A program like CAIS that requires too much paperwork shouldn’t be approved. “It’s ridiculous that these people (CAIS administrators) are living off us,” she said. Huron-Bruce MP Steckle clashed with HCFA vice-president Wayne Hamilton over CAIS. "We were pushed into this by the federal government,” Hamilton charged. Steckle replied that farm groups, as well as the federal and provincial governments were all involved in setting up CAIS. But Hamilton reminded Steckle that the Agriculture Commodity Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, told Steckle the federal government should challenge the U.S. to live up to its obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement. But Steckle said that would be a very slow process and could lake five or six years and cost a huge amount of money. In the end, if you win as Canada did with a challenge against $4 billion in softwood lumber import duties, the Americans may refuse to pay the damages. “They will do what they want to do,” he said. In presenting a brief on behalf of Huron County Beef Producers Council had said from the beginning that the inventory provisions were a problem. “You’ve been aware of the problems for six years and you never fixed it.” Bob Down of Hensail, who was chair of the commodities council at the time, agreed that his group kept telling the government of the problems with the program and as a result, Ontario was the last province to sign on to the program. Other provinces didn’t support maintaining a market revenue program but “Do we have to suffer for the stupidity of other provinces?” Down wondered. Carol Mitchell. MPP for Huron- Bruce said "I have been submitting weekly reports since July about the problems (with CAIS).” Association, Les Falconer of Clinton, said the combination of the BSE crisis and increased government regulations such as nutrient management is causing many producers to exit the indus Obituaries HAROLD ALBERT EDGAR Mr. Harold Edgar of Wingham passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Sunday, March 13, 2005. He was 76. He was the beloved husband of (he former Doris (Campbell) Albert. Mr. Edgar was stepfather of Ernie and Theresa Albert, Mike and Barb Albert, Diane and Percy Holmes. Rodney and Colleen McCulloch, Harold and . Venita McCulloch, Roland and Ch-erie McCulloch, Robert and Tana Albert, Bill Gardner, Keith Gardner, Alan and Glenda Gardner, Brian Gardner and Elaine Borth. He was the brother of Grace and Glenn Dickinson, Marie and Harold Lamont, Marjorie Stroud and Bill Somerville, Betty Darling, Frank and Sharon Edgar, Henry Edgar, Donnie Edgar, Mary Zister If the newspaper you are reading was purchased at a newsstand... we have a deal for you! try- . “Without Ontario farmers, this province will lose the strength and infrastructure of rural Ontario present in small towns and villages,” he said. and Joe Spitzig, Margaret and Ted Beadle, Peter and Margaret Edgar and Annie and Ken Neable. Mr. Edgar was also survived by several step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Edith Johnson Gardner, his step-son William Joseph Albert and his brother Charles Edgar. Visitation was at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham on Monday from 7-9 p.m. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Rev. Wayne B. Beamer officiat ed. Interment will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Lucknow, Ontario. Memorial donations to Wingham and District Hospital or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. MP promotes food tax By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle promoted his idea of a small tax on food to raise money for agriculture but farm leaders at Saturday's members of parliament dinner weren’t enthusiastic for the idea. “I believe that consumers in this country would support q one or two per cent tax on food,” Steckle said. “It’s the farmers who are against it.” Steckle said he didn't want more taxes but this was a tax he could support because it could provide needed money to support agriculture. But Bill Dowson, mayor of Bluewater and a pork producer, said farmers shy away from a food tax because there’s a terrible mistrust of taxes not ending up where the money is supposed to go, such as the tire lax and the gas tax. Paul Klopp of the Federation worried all the attention for the food tax would derail other agricultural issues. “We’ve got a (taxation) system now.” said Wayne Hamilton. HCFA second vice-president. “A tiny percentage increase in income tax would do it — the equivalent of a cup of coffee a week.” Agriculture’s messages now easy Agriculture's messages are now easy to find online in a professional media centre on www.Farmissues.com. This centre is specifically designed for the media, with everything needed for their next story on food or farming in one easy-to-navigate site. “Today's fast-paced news world makes it challenging for journalists who aren't familiar with agriculture to find out the details of food production and the sometimes complicated issues associated with it,” commented Lilian Schaer. Ontario Pork’s communications manager. “This site is designed to be ‘one-stop-shopping’ on food and farming for journalists, with all the background information and photos needed for their next story." The Farmissues.com media centre has easy to understand definitions, explanations, facts, hot topics and links to other credible sources. The “Ask the Expert” option should prove to be a popular choice for to find on-line journalists and anyone who may have always wondered, but didn’t know who to ask about food or farming. The Ontario Agriculture Photo and Video Library add to the complete package of resources on the site. Crystal Mackay. Ontario Farm Animal Council’s executive director is pleased with the proactive, professional approach of the site, “Farmissues.com is already popular with students and teachers on the existing issues section of the site, with over 8,000 unique visitors each month. The media centre will add tremendous value for our visitors.” The Farmissues.com media centre was co-ordinated by the Ontario Farm Animal Council, in partnership with its members and the AGCare. Funding for the media centre was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdapt Small Project Initiative. r------------------> Three million Canadians have a hearing loss. I’m one of them. Don Hamm To learn more about our medical research and public education programs and how you can help, call 1-866 HEAR YOU, toll free. hearing foundation Of fASABA THE Fondation canodienne (iel'ooie Off the newsstand price Having a subscription to The Citizen saves you money Newsstand price - $1.00/week Subscription price - 60e/week i I I Yes - ' want to save money. I I Enclosed is $30.00 for a 1-year subscription Name:........................................................................................ 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