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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2003-10-29, Page 11News THE HURON EXPOSITOR, OCTOSEQ !E, 2003-11 HCFA get glimpse of China's agricultural industry By Sara Campbell Expositor Staff Two Huron County graduates of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), say China is rapidly changing to become a leader in the agricultural industry. Teresa VanRaay and John Greig were guest speakers at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture (HCFA) meeting on, Oct. 23 at the Seaforth Agriplex. "Change happens - anticipate change, monitor change, embrace change, enjoy change and then enjoy change again," said VanRaay, adding that was a comment made from the general manager of Bright Dairy company in China, whose goal is to become one of the top ten dairy companies in the world. The AALP students spent the month of February, travelling along the east coast of China - from Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai to Hangzhou - studying the Sara Campbell photo Teresa VanRaay and John Greig, graduates of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program:discussed their China Alumni Tour at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture meeting on Oct. 23 at the Seaforth Agriplex. country's agricultural areas. The AALP is an executive development program for men and women who want to broaden their horizons and expand their networks to help shape the future of the agri-food sector in Ontario to North America and internationally. Through a . series of seminars and study tours over a 19 month period, AALP participants develop leadership skills, an increased knowledge of the agri-food system and perspectives on critical issues in the industry. "The people of China are better off than they were five years ago and certainly 10 years ago," said Greig, a Ontario Farmer reporter. He said the rapidly growing country is now opening up to other parts of the world and is committed to world trade. He added that China has become the net exporter of food and is increasing the export of pork and beef. Greig said China's government recently moved to allow some land ownership, as much of the country's land is government owned. VanRaay said China has become interested in Canada's dairy cattle, by studying dairy cattle projects, such as monitoring their food consumption and constant veterinarian involvement, to become a leader in the industry. Politics of war panel in Clinton discussed visions for world eace By Cheryl Heath Clinton News -Record The community of Clinton did its part for'world peace through a politics of war panel discussion Friday at Ontario Street United Church. The church invited guest speakers Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle, Clinton army cadet commander Claus Breede and Christian peace activist Stewart Vriesinga to attend the forum, with facilitator Dr. Marten Bokhout, a church member. Steckle says that as a Christian, it is sometimes difficult to reconcile the views of the state and church. "Some like to think you can separate the two, but it can't be done ... it's like being a little big pregnant," he says. Steckle is proud of Canada's position on war with Iraq. He says though Canada's decision to stay out of Iraq without UN approval eamed it some critics, Canada is nonetheless known as a peacekeeping country. "We have a historic commitment to work towards peace," says Steckle. He says Canada should continue to speak and act through the UN Security Council. And, .he says, ultimately strained relations between the United States and Canada will heal. "I don't believe U.S.- Canada relations are wrecked forever. We stand shoulder - to -shoulder` when it comes to democracy and human rights," says Steckle. He says the United States has yet to find the weapons of mass destruction it pinpointed as cause to invade Iraq. He says the timing of the invasion was interesting given United Nations inspectors were reporting the system was working. Steckle notes Canada has helped its neighbour to the south in other ways, including serving in Afghanistan where his sister- in-law ,is working. "The infrastructure has been destroyed," says Steckle of Afghanistan's condition since lit was invaded followingthe tenaist attacks . on the e.4wir seaboard of the United Slates in 2001. "Bin Laden, as we probably believe, is still alive ... we haven't gotten Saddam either," he says. Steckle adds, "there are a lot of sad places in the world" that need aid and support. He says Canada would best be serving the world community by Continuing to act in a peacekeeping role as well as by providing aid. He says the recipe for peace in the Middle East is elusive, because even traditionally warring factions overseas would support one - another before welcoming a western -led invasion. "You have to change the way people think and that is not easy to do because it's a religious thing," says Steckle. "At the end of the day, they will fight for each other, even though they hate each other." Claus Breede, who recently started a cadet corps in Clinton, served on the reserves for eight years. He says people must consider what really motivates a soldier when discussing war. He says rather than patriotic zeal, motivating factors often include pride in one's work and protecting the "regimental family." "You can't let your buddy down," says Breede. He says the business of war has dramatically changed thanks to technological advances in weaponry. As evidence, he reports the U.S.-led attack on Iraq in 1991 offered more planes but less firepower than the 2003 strike. Breede says 30 U.S. soldiers can now do what a battalion (approximately 700 people) used to do. Meanwhile, he notes, Canada is lagging behind the rest of the world in research and development and military spending. "Canada is not a player in technological warfare," says Breede. Though Breede does not believe disarmament is the answer, he understands the rationale behind it. "Unilateral disarmament is a dream, but it's a good dream to have," he says. Breede adds Canadians are fortunate. "As Canadians, we have all won the lottery," he says, noting the country is worth standing up for and protecting. He adds Canada should share its resources with those countries with shared values. Stewart Vriesinga quickly identified himself as a pacifist. Vriesinga, a 'Christian peacemaker who has travelled to Iraq as well as other war- torn countries, says it is important for Canadians to provide a voice for those who do not have one when it comes time to dealing with world powers. He says global peace can only happen with the benefit of healthy relationships with fellow countrymen, the environment and other countries. • He also suggests Canadians don't really have enough resources to share with the world. "Oar ecological footprint is huge," he says, pointing to over consumption and waste as huge problems. "We cannot sustain our present level of consumption, much less invite other people to do so," he says. "We are using far more resources than most of the people on this planet." Vriesinga, who notes 2 billion people on the planet manage to live on less than $2 per day, says the world is now comprised • of an "economic democracy." He points to the wages paid to Third World workers who produce cheaply priced products for Canadians and Americans as one of the many problems in the world today. Vriesinga says low wages, coupled with the Third World countries commitment to debt servicing, means people are trapped in a never-ending circle of poverty. Worst yet, says Vriesinga, western countries legitimize dictatorships by trading with them. Vriesinga adds it is not a small coincidence that none of the stated objectives behind invading Iraq have been achieved. "If you want peace, you have to work for justice," he says. "Investing in arms is not the way to go." Following the presentation, participants broke into discussion groups to discuss their vision for world peace. "Dairy parlors in China are set in the middle of villages and milk is then delivered by bike to 82 million households daily which has proven to be very economical for China," she said. The Stephen Township resident said China believes its children should be consuming more dairy products to improve their growth and be like children in other countries. She added that 11 kilograms of dairy products are consumed daily per household in China while Canadians consume 213 kilograms. With China's increasing population, the one child per family rule still exists, said VanRaay. However, she said in rural areas a family is allowed to have two children if a daughter is born first, because a son is needed to take over the family farm. "China still feels very strongly about their traditions no matter how their country grows and changes," said VanRaay. When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE . BROKERS INC. ALLAN CARTER Specializing in • Farm - Commercial - Auto - Property 5 MAIN STREET, SOUTH SEAFORTH, ON (519)527-2500 Open Monday to Friday 3:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - OR by 8000o1rwrNM H medal 461,6. Shop Early for the Best Selection! t1eeee. Unique Gifts & Collectibles for Home & Garden CHRISTMAS PREVIEW WEEKEND .1Ieitrirm IAi\ at1 (1)111 Well ray the Iaxt ‘.' 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