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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-03-24, Page 68 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MARCH 24, 2004 „,,,RON„ Information Meeting Tuesday, March 30 °t� 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Dublin Community Hall Dublin, Ontario Sinkhole Investigation Study Huron East / West Perth O\,;r the past year, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, in cooperation with MOE and Municipalities of Huron East and West Perth, has been conducting an investigation of the sinkholes in these two municipalities to determine details of their formation and significance to local groundwater. Information on the study results will be proented at 7:30 pm. There will also be displays and opportunity for discussion before and after the presentation. For more information call the ABCA at 519-235-2610 Sponsored by ABCA, MOE, and Municipalities of Huron East and West Perth Here's What You've Been Waiting For... Salon & Spa Karen Bissonnette Owner/Stylist Julie Bree Krista Horan Stylist Esthetician NOW ACCEPTING APPOINTMENTS HOURS Tuesday - Saturday • 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 150 Ontario Road, Mitchell 348.4247 'A 1rrrtrlv In 1 is lot i,rn Ileril,I!;c. Hoary.” News Government unveils BSE aid package By Sara Campbell and BSI Laye Local farmers are thrilled the federal government has decided to get behind the cattle industry atter Agriculture Minister Bob Speller vowed nearly $1 billion in federal farm aid Monday will go right where it belongs — producers' pockets. "This is a huge boost for the beef farmers because money is needed now. And as a dairy farmer, I'm happy to see that all ruminants are covered under the new funding because dairy farmers have been affected by the BSE crisis too," said Tim Shute, president of the Perth County (Federation of Agriculture. "But until .1 can really see though how this will affect my herd, it's too soon to tell though how this will he played out." "This money will get out quickly — the dollars won't be sitting in Ottawa," Speller said after he, Prime Minister Paul Martin, and Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan unveiled the program in Picture Butte, Alberta deep in the heart of Feedlot Alley. Speller acknowledged "consternation" over previous federal and provincial mad cow a i d packages which in a n y ranchers complained weren't getting to them. But this will, said. "What we wanted to make sure is these one he $995 -million package, $680 million, will go to Canada's mad cow -battered beef producers through a Transitional Industry Support Program. That will work out to a direct payment of as much as $80 per eligible head, excluding mature bulls and cows. Another $250 million will go to producers of other commodities, such as hogs and grains, and $65 million will be spent to cover Ottawa's share of the shortfall for the 2002 claim year under the Canadian Quoted 'We're happy that the federal government has finally decided to get behind the cattle 'industry,' - Tim Shute, president of the Perth County Federation of Ayrkulture payments went out directly to farmers." The lion's share of the Farm Income program. "This is a great day, not only for southern Alberta, but a great day for all of Canada," said Speller. "Today will bode well for the future of this industry and this country." The three Liberals deflected any suggestion the announcement was pre- election posturing for votes. "What this is really about is Canadians sticking together," said Martin. "So these are hard times and when Canadian farm families face these kinds of challenges we believe that the government must be there to help." Canadian Cattleman's Association president Neil Jahnke said opening the border remains "Job 1," but the cash would help. "We're happy that the federal government has finally decided to get behind the cattle industry," said Shute. "What we really need now is to hear news that the borders will be re -open to Canadian cattle if we want to see the industry continue." MP disappointed with beef packing review By Matt Shurrie Special to The Huron Expositor Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle expressed disappointment and frustration last week following a parliamentary review of the Canadian beef packing industry. Steckle, chair of the standing committee on agriculture and agri-food, has long contended that packers have grossly benefited financially since a single case of BSE was found in Alberta last May. The three largest packers reminded the committee that they don't control the market for cattle prices and MITCHELL & DISTRICT CREDIT UNION LTD. PP" IP MVP SPRING INTO A NEW MORTGAGE '1: RENOVATING OR RELOCATING? COME SEE US! 1 YEAR 5YEAR 1OYEAR RATE RATE RATE. Insured LeiuIcr 1 1 44 Sandra Eedy Kevin Ouipp Jim Mabb Fred Keller Res: (519) 527-0999 Res: (519) 348-0145 Res: (519) 348-8024 Res: (519) 348-8931 WE WELCOME EVENING CALLS. MITCHELL (ATM) 348-8448 • SEBRINGVILLE 393-6670 STRATFORD (ATM) 271-9083 • SHAKESPEARE 625-8400 www.mitchellcuica "YOUR COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION FOR 43 YEARS!" that competition between the major players establishes a market price. They also claimed they were losing money for a lot of the crisis due to increased costs from lost markets. However, Steckle wasn't buying the argument or the excuses. "The gate price and' the plate price don't reflect reasonable reality of how it should work in a normal marketplace," Steckle said. "(The packers) say (prices) are 15-20 per cent less (since the BSE crisis) but I have yet to have a consumer come to me and tell me they're buying beef at 20 per cent less than last year." Steckle said the truth likely wouldn't be revealed until the packing industry could be brought into a courtroom and placed under oath. "We're not for one moment suggesting that they're not telling us the truth but we're not getting the full story," Steckle said. "There's more to be told and when people say you are making a lot of money it depends what a lot of money is. You have to qualify that and we only had two hours to do this (questioning)." Steckle said meat packers would like the public to believe that they .are not Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle receiving the kinds of returns they did prior to May 19 while failing to discuss the discounted prices for which they are now purchasing the animals. "There are people today taking cull cows to market and at the end of the day have trucking costs to pay Canada BOO Business Development Bank of Canada Banque de dfrveloppement du Canada Al Wright, Branch Manager for The Business Development Bank of Canada, is pleased to announce the return of Nadine Hayes, Senior Manager Loans to the Stratford Branch. Nadine has 10 yearn commercial banking experience including 5 years with BDC. The BDC Stratford Branch serves Perth, Huron, Grey and Bruce Counties. BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada and plays a leadership role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small businesses. Your contacts at B.D.C. are: Al Wright, Branch Manager (519) 271-5685 Nadine Hayes, Senior Manager Loans (519) 271-5425 Toll Free ...1-800-265-4594 for and have nothing for the cow," Steckle said. "There are also places where (farmers) have taken cows to the sales barn and didn't get a bid on them and took them outside and just buried them because there was nothing else to do." If there was some good news to be found last week it came in the form of a 30 - day comment period in the United States as that country -continues to examine reopening the border. Steckle said he's optimistic that the border could be open by late spring or sometime in June. "This is not me saying that — I'm just saying what I'm hearing," Steckle said. "At this point in time people are feeling very optimistic about (the border reopening for cattle under 30 months). "They say (following a 30 day review period on April 7) they'll have to make a decision and they've been saying all along it's got to be based on science and if they live up to that commitment then basically there arc some people that have said by late spring or possibly June." Steckle continues to question why the border was even cloged in the first place given the isolated case in Alberta. "I, for one, don't believe that borders should ever be closed for one animal unless it's of a nature where people simply by looking at the animal would fall over dead," Steckle said. "I think it's fair to say that when we have an animal or the Americans have an animal that we don't take that animal as a reason to close - borders. We have to look at all of the ramifications." SEAFORTH INSURANCE BROKER LTD. 527-1610 r.,,,,-77 • Home .• Commercial •Auto • Farm • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Malo St. S. Seaforth Ken Cardno, Joanne Williamson, +► Chrism O'Neil and Barb Watt Canada BOO Business Development Bank of Canada Banque de dfrveloppement du Canada Al Wright, Branch Manager for The Business Development Bank of Canada, is pleased to announce the return of Nadine Hayes, Senior Manager Loans to the Stratford Branch. Nadine has 10 yearn commercial banking experience including 5 years with BDC. The BDC Stratford Branch serves Perth, Huron, Grey and Bruce Counties. BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada and plays a leadership role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small businesses. Your contacts at B.D.C. are: Al Wright, Branch Manager (519) 271-5685 Nadine Hayes, Senior Manager Loans (519) 271-5425 Toll Free ...1-800-265-4594 for and have nothing for the cow," Steckle said. "There are also places where (farmers) have taken cows to the sales barn and didn't get a bid on them and took them outside and just buried them because there was nothing else to do." If there was some good news to be found last week it came in the form of a 30 - day comment period in the United States as that country -continues to examine reopening the border. Steckle said he's optimistic that the border could be open by late spring or sometime in June. "This is not me saying that — I'm just saying what I'm hearing," Steckle said. "At this point in time people are feeling very optimistic about (the border reopening for cattle under 30 months). "They say (following a 30 day review period on April 7) they'll have to make a decision and they've been saying all along it's got to be based on science and if they live up to that commitment then basically there arc some people that have said by late spring or possibly June." Steckle continues to question why the border was even cloged in the first place given the isolated case in Alberta. "I, for one, don't believe that borders should ever be closed for one animal unless it's of a nature where people simply by looking at the animal would fall over dead," Steckle said. "I think it's fair to say that when we have an animal or the Americans have an animal that we don't take that animal as a reason to close - borders. We have to look at all of the ramifications."