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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2001-03-21, Page 2TKa yeti 2 -TME HURON EXPOSITOR. March 21, 2001 News Highway 21 blocked by county farmers By Marie Wilson Kincardine News Staff About 80 area farmers from Huron and Bruce County came together to set up a blockade at the intersection of Hwy. 21 and County Rd. 86 in Amberley on Mar. 14 to show support for a number of protests held by farmers across the province. Belfast farmer Fred Phillips, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said about 80 farmers and 26 tractors participated in the Amberley blockade. "A lot of the livestock producers couldn't attend the mar. 14 rally in Guelph so we decided there was a need to do something local here to show support and enhance what's happening there." March 14 was designated by farmers across the country as a 'Day of Action' to protest the lack of government funding to help farmers get through the current slump in commodity prices. In Ontario, conveys of farmers from across the province, along with Quebec supporters,were to drive their trucks, cars and farm vehicles to the one of three rallies held across the province. ;J oval farmers were heading to a rally planned for noon at the Agriculture Canada building in Guelph, while others from various regions were expected to converge in Pickering and Ottawa where similar rallies were held. Phillips said most of the North Huron and South Bruce farmers who attended the Amberley blockade are members of a farm pro active movement called 'A Line In The Dirt.' "We recognized there was a need to do something locally, because a lot of the livestock farmers couldn't get to Guleph. Most of the farmers who went to Guelph arc in grains, oil and feed. We started planning the blockade Sunday, put the finishing touches on it Monday and Tuesday and arrived Wednesday morning." Farm vehicles were parked on the shoulders of Hwy 21 going north and south as well as on the shoulders of 86 going east and west. "We accomplished what we set out to do. We stopped each vehicle and gave them our literature," Phillips said. According to Phillips, the majority of motorists showed overwhelming support for the farmers. "Most people knew who we were and what we are lobbying for. Almost all of the comments were positive and people were tooting their homs in support. We only had one driver go blasting through the blockade." The main issue for farmers is getting a fair price for their product, Phillips said. "We want parity with farmers in the United States. The American government subsidizes farmers there while Canadian farmers are fed to the wolves. We are looking for government subsidization until we can get controls in place for the supply." A Mar. 12 new release from the Ontario Federation Of Agriculture states planning for the 'Day of Action' began almost immediately after Federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief announced $500 million in additional funding for the country's agricultural safety nets program --$400 million short of what farmers and their organizations had shown was needed." Farmers manned the blockade in Amberley from 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. Peaceful demonstration Senior constable Paul Davis, with the the South Bruce OPP detachment from Kincardine, said the Amberley blockade was handled in a very peaceful and organized fashion. "We were there to make sure Low prices burden farmers From page 1 Ontario Soybean Growers. said the loan does help farmers because financial institutions have to act properly, treat farmers better and lower interest rates or they lose business. Because other countries import cheap food, Canadian farmers bear the burden of low food prices. Mason Bailey, of the Huron County Fruit Growers, said South American companies pick their fruit and do all the packing on ships while they're headed to other countries. The workers are only paid $7 a day and Canadian farmers can't compete with them. Bailey added, "If we don't find an answer they can wipe out our whole industry." He said Canadian produce is the safest in the world but asked how will the produce industry do if Canadian farmers don't control it anymore. Hamilton said this docs not affect just farmers. He said there is a "trickle down effect" that affects seed producers, farm equipment suppliers and more. Bailey added, "The big issue is how do we make enough money to stay in husiness." things went smoothly and safely. There wasn't much of a traffic hold-up and certainly there was nothing that would cause an accident." Davis said the travel lanes for traffic were kept open and although traffic slowed while drivers were given pamphlets outlining the farmers' concerns, things kept moving. "The farmers had pylons set up, they had reflectors and the y were wearing reflective vest. A number �f safety precautions were taken. It wasn't a malicious demonstration in any way." Police were given a day's notice prior to the event. Ron Wassink photos_ Farmers protest Farmers from Huron and Bruce counties manned a road blockade in Amberly last Wednesday to protest the federal government's inadequate bail-out package. Canadian farmers are demanding a minimum $900 million, but the government is only offering $500 million. Among the farmers at the blockade were, from the left, Steve Ferris, Alex MacPherson, Ross Pickard, Mark Neidlinger, Glen Gibson and Wim Nyland. 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