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Huron Expositor, 2005-03-16, Page 7N t. s THE HURON EXPOSITOR. March 16. 2005-7• Local government officials hear farmers concerns at luncheon By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Farmers are seeing red when they need to be seeing a little green. That was the message delivered Saturday to Huron - Bruce MP Paul Steckle and Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell during the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's annual MP/MPP luncheon held at the Betty Cardno Centre in Clinton. Farmers, commodity group representatives and suppliers took turns speaking out on a range of issues, ranging from the reportedly deeply flawed Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program to the federal and provincial level of governments' ongoing unwillingness to open their respective wallets, during a sometimes intense four-hour session. The Grain and Oilseed Brief outlined few surprises in an industry wracked with problems, including undercutting from U.S. and Quebec imports, a defective safety net program and a financial shortfall leaving some farmers wondering how they will plant crops this spring. The growers need $300 million, now, just in order to get the crop in the ground. Then, as government officials are suggesting, will come time to formulate a long-term plan. "You have to see the light at the end of the tunnel," says spokesman Peter Heinrich. "The border isn't going to close to corn coming into Ontario." He adds it has been extremely frustrating for producers to plan for their livelihood when it seems all the two levels of government want to do is point the finger of blame at one -another. "We're kind of in limbo between the two levels of government," he says, adding some farmers are despairing because, at the same time, the Americans are "just flooding our markets." Wayne Hamilton, of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, did not mince words with regard to his criticism of the governments' handling of the crisis in agriculture. He points to Statistics Canada figures that show farm incomes is projected to be a negative $36.3 million in comparison to a 1999-2003 five-year average of $310.9 million. "The actual numbers we're dealing with are below the zero line," he says. "We've got a problem here and it's not going away." He says farmers were "basically bullied" into the CAIS program and that it was falsely presented as the "holy grail of agriculture." Hamilton also asks the Huron -Bruce MP where the $5 billion in contingency funding was as mentioned in an earlier Clinton News - Record article. "If you know how serious it is and you've got a $5 billion contingency fund, just when are we going to receive it?" he asks. Hamilton, among others at the table, also questioned the province's willingness to invest $400 million into a hotel expansion at Casino Windsor and $300 million into General Motors in London while farmers are left twisting in the wind. The Huron -Bruce MPP stands behind her government's decisions, noting the auto industry pumps billions into the Canadian economy and the casino expansion makes sense given that the money comes care of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and is being used to attract more customers to the ageing facility. Meanwhile, Steckle points to the Liberal party's past agricultural budgets as proof the party is not out of touch with the needs of farmers. He says funding to agriculture increased to nearly $5 billion in 2003/04. "$4.8 billion is one heck of a lot of money," he says. Steckle predicts, however, that federal government -led changes are coming that will win with the farmers' approval. "We'll have an announcement by March 31," he says. "You will be pleasantly surprised by the announcement." Nelson Underwood says some farmers are so distraught that they are driven to the brink of suicidal despair. He says the dire financial straits faced by some farmers is affecting other sectors of the economy, too. "We're faced with what appears to be a dying industry," he says. Paul Storey, of Vincent Farm Equipment which employs 90 people at three locations, says sales and servicing at his business are notably down. srrava "It's the most difficult winter we've had in a long time," he says. He says it is no small irony that, at the same time, U.S. farmers and equipment dealers are enjoying a banner year. Businessman Bill McGavin says it is unfair bureaucrats continue to dilly-dally while farmers remain in limbo about their future. He says that perhaps instead of a highway blockade, farmers should block bureaucrats into their offices until they get the job done. The Huron County Beef Producers group says the state of the industry is "probably as bad as it can be." The spokesman says the combination of the unworkable CAIS program, a closed border and dropping prices is making for one unpleasant recipe for beef producers to swallow. The spokesman encourages politicians to develop a national program for beef producers and to seek out other markets, like Japan and Asia. "Let's leave the States where they sit," he says. Huron -Bruce's MP agrees that there are no easy solutions. "Theborder is not going to open, I think, for another 18 months," says Steckle, adding putting money directly into the hands of farmers is a questionable solution because it will likely end up back in the hands of packers. He adds that packers must be held accountable for their business practices and that an inquiry will unveil where considerable amounts of farm aid money have gone thus far. Steckle also notes the U.S. government does not have a lot of options in overruling the Montana judge's decision to put an injunction on Canadian animals ages 30 months and under. Paul Mistele, vice- president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, says some of the provincial government's latest moves are worthy of praise. He says Ontario's recent - unveiled plans to allocate $4 million towards dealing with deadstock, money for 4-H Club support, the cancellation of water -taking permits for farmers and the reinstallation of the drainage program show the government is listening to rural residents. Visit these participathig Merchants for your Eggstra Special Savings... F ALL IN -STOCK GIFTWARE March 16 - March 31s" Only. See our Easter Chocolate & Plush Toys Selection! Nifty Korners hack . 33 Main St. Seaforth 527-1680. Virwahootv411/ 4111111 *NO PAYMENTSS FOR 90 DAYS! Summer Heat is coming. GET AIR NOW! 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