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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-03-16, Page 29tenure as Agriculture minister during successive liberal governments in the '80s, no other area of the world has some of the competitive advantages available to Ontario's agriculture sector, such as climate, infrastructure, human resources and, particularly, quality of livestock. "That's where we've got the upper hand. We've got the quality of livestock and we'll be there to sell to Mexico the kind of livestock they need," he said. — "Perhaps I'm too much of an optimist by nature, but I see GATT and NAFTA as nothing but positives for Canada and I'll argue that with anyone." As it turned out, he had to, because few of the local farmers in attendance seemed to share Rid - dell's optimism for prospects under NAFTA. One member of the audience pointed to problems experienced in the Chatham area, where Campbell Soup closed a processing operation opening the door for imports of Mexican tomatoes. "How can we compete with a country where they can hire labor for $4 a day? You couldn't hire tomato pickers for $4 an hour in Ontario?" "We can't afford to export at a loss," another local farmer told Riddell. "I can't agree with you on that kind of negative thinking," said Riddell. - In addition to the expanded Norther American market, Riddell said Ontario farmers can take ad- vantage of new access to vast Asian and Japanese markets for agricul- tural exports, if their will to adapt to the demands of these markets. The Japanese, for example, look for uniformity. Riddell said Japanese restaurants want "every pork chop to be the same thickness, weight and quality." "That's what they want in Japan and we can provide it if we're willing to do it." Canada has always been an ex - SPECIALIZING IN FREEZER ORDERS & CUSTOM KILLING FISHER ABATTOIR & MEAT MARKET GOSHEN ST. S. ZURICH 236-7793 OWNED & OPERATED BY MIKE BLACK & DICK VAN KROONENBURGH FARMERS Are you confused over the anging_tax_lows? Our experienced tax preparers keep up-to- date on tax laws that affect agriculture. Trust H. &R Block to: • answer your tax questions • ensure all applicable deductions and credits are applied to your return • ensure you pay no more tax than required by law or you receive the biggest refund to which you are entitled Trust HaR BLACK It's why Canadians return. 59 Hamilton St., Goderich 524-8658 45 Huron St., Clinton 482-7541 317 Josephine St., Wingham 357-3006 910 Queen St., Kincardine 396-5449 Page 12 -Farm Progress '94 Former minister of agriculture on the speaking circuit by Patrick Raftis A familiar voice, powerful and confident, echoes through the cavernous confines of a local com- munity centre. The topic is agricul- ture. The speaker is Jack Riddell. And suddenly, it feels like time has stood still since the mid-1980s. However, things have changed in agriculture and today the high- ly -respected provincial agriculture minister from the past, is talking about the face of farming in the future. Riddell, who has taken on a busy slate of speaking engagements, since leaving active politics, after acting as Minister of Agriculture under the David Peterson -led Liberal government, is optimistic about the future for Canadian farmers. However, farmers should prepare to change their ways to take ad- vantage of new opportunities in the global marketplace. Riddell said Canadian agriculture, and Ontario farmers in particular are in a good position to take ad- vantages of improved access to foreign markets through the recent GATT and NAFTA deals. The North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada the United States and Mexico has created a $10 trillion trading block with 360 million potential con- sumers, Riddell told a crowd of about 60 Zurich area farmers at a "Planting for Profit day hosted by C.G. Farm Supply Ltd., of Zurich February 17. "Who can stand up and deny us access to that market, when we're capable of doing it," said Riddell. Riddell said Canada will enhance its competitive position in the global marketplace if the agricul- tural sector reacts positively to coming changes. "I dearly want to go out and speak to those young people who are saying to their Dads that there's no future in farming, no way to make a living at it here in Ontario Canada." According to Riddell, who travelled extensively during his United Awl Product. ,-has DORCHESTER. ONTARIO Grip legume rnoculants -fix' more nitrogen than any other inoculant (up to on incredible 200 lbs of N/acre through o growing seoson) And that means bigger yields' Write us for full test results' Grip comes in an easy-to-use package with a unique field -proven sticker So there's no inoculant left in your hopperbox after planting, it's all on the seed' Grip deliv- ers an incredible number of bacteria to each seed and comes in a non -caking sterile peat making it the premiere legume inocu- lant This year. get a grip on more nitrogen ask for Grip Gruip 141 SItA,ER 11E11) LEGINEI'rl(11.1V7 H & B ELPHICK CHEMICALS LTD. RR #3 LUCKNOW Harold 395-5307 Barry 395-3181 porting nation, said Riddell. "Half of all our farm cash receipts come from exports." He said the new GATT deal will allow Canadian farmers to compete under fairer conditions, with the creation of a new "world trade court," which will prevent the United States from applying unilateral trade measures which run contrary to GATT. GATT rules supersede the NAFTA agreement, he explained. The introduction and staged reduction of import tariffs, in place of import quotas, will give Canada's supply -managed agricul- ture sectors some breathing but Riddell said even heavily ply -managed sectors such as and poultry really. have "very li to fear," from global competition. In fact, he says it's essential. "Anybody who thinks we can put a boundary around Canada, or around Ontario and expect to get our fair share (is) right out to lunch," he said. Processors, as well as producers would do well to prepare to com- pete in the global marketplace said Riddell. "Value-added exports. That's where we've fallen down in this country. We've been to willing to sell our primary resources without adding any value and buying back finished products." Riddell predicts farmers who take up the challenge of the global marketplace will "prove to the world we can compete, when the rules are fair and enforced and GATT does this." Deer killed by dogs wasn't a pretty sight by Mark Cripps "It wasn't a pretty sight." That's how Wingham Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer Bbb Pegg described the a recent discover of a deer that had been attacked and killed by dogs. "I have to remind land owners to keep their dogs under control," said Pegg. "It's an offence under the Fish and Game Act to allow dogs to roam at large during the closed season for deer." Pegg said that a conservation officer can charge an owner if a dog is found at large. "If we fmd one running deer, we can shoot it," said Pegg. He added that the situation is particularly bad at this time of year due to the weakened condition of the deer. "The deer have a harder time running through the Crusted snow," said Pegg. "They brcak through that layer, while dogs just run on top of it." He said female deer may abort their fawns if chased by a dog. To date, the Wingham MNR has received six complaints, and have already destroyed some wild dogs that were living in the bush.