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The Huron Expositor • March 15, 2006 Page 3
Steckle reiterates support for RMP during Huron
County Federation of Agriculture luncheon
Cheryl Heath
It wasn't a very good year.
But that news came as no sur-
prise to Huron -Bruce MP Paul
Steckle and Huron -Bruce MPP
Carol Mitchell Saturday as they
participated in the Huron County
Federation of Agriculture's (HCFA)
annual MP and MPP luncheon,
designed to draw attention to the
litany of troubles facing those in the
agricultural sector.
HCFA president Nick Whyte was
the first to take to the microphone.
Whyte, a grains and oilseed,
farmer near Seaforth, said the
industry is surviving in crisis mode.
He said the question for grains
farmers today is not which seeds
will make the most money but
"which ones will lose the least."
Bob Hammond, speaking on
behalf of grains and oilseed produc-
ers, said the current political cli-
mate has been especially frustrating
for those caught in the crunch.
He said in many cases farmers
are used as pawns by politicians
while faulty programs, like the
Canadian Agricultural Income
Stabilization (CAIS), continue to
languish on the books.
"The market revenue program
was straight forward," he said. "I
hope you can assure us this money
will come out.
He added a lot of newly -intro-
duced government mandated pro-
grams, like the Nutrient
Management Act, are adding to the
farmers' debt load.
Huron -Bruce's MPP assured the
sector a decision on the industry's
much -desired Risk Management
Program (RMP) is nigh, but it will
require the federal government's
endorsement and financial support.
She said a "long-term plan" is key.
"But we can't do it without our
federal counterparts," added
Mitchell.
Huron -Bruce's MP reiterated his
support for the RMP.
Steckle said though there has
been "letter writing going on in
recent days," with regard to letters
published in the Clinton News -
Record, he is committed to the pro-
gram.
"We don't need a whole lot of con-
sultation to make that happen," he
said. "We need to find other ways of
compensating the down pricing of
other commodities."
The MP said he believes food pro-
duction should be treated more seri-
ously by the federal government.
"I believe, so sincerely, that food is
a matter of security," he said, noting
perhaps it should also be the sole
responsibility of the feds so that if
there is trouble, "at least you know
whose butt you're.: kicking."
Steckle said he is confident he will
soon get his desired meeting with
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strata.
"We're not enemies," he said of the
Conservative Party MP. "We will try
and work together."
Robert Emerson, speaking on
behalf of grains and oilseed farmers,
said the RMP is "totally necessary"
and the government should be look-
ing at it as an investment rather
than a cost.
"Things are in such a crisis that it
needs to be addressed yesterday," he
added.
Joe Vermunt spoke on behalf of
recent grassroots -based uprisings
designed to draw attention to issues
impacting agriculture.
"Our leaders have let us down and
we can't stand it any more," he said,
noting it is especially disheartening
to be told by elected officials it is the
farmers' job to draw attention to the
issue when that's what politicians
are supposed to do.
He added politicians unwilling to
stand up for agriculture should step
aside.
And, he added, more protests are
planed if a light at the tunnel is not
Family Health Team on track and
progressing, says Mitchell
Susan Hundertmark
The family health team proposed
for Huron County is on track and
progressing, said Huron -Bruce MPP
Carol Mitchell.
"We're committed to making the
FHT move forward. We're trying to
get our community access to family
doctors and I want this team to be a
prototype for the province," she said
last week.
She said the committee working
on the FHT includes the Huron
County Health Unit, the
Community Care Access Centre and
local doctors.
"This is really getting people in
the health ,system to work on a team
approach. It's about working togeth-
er cooperatively,",she said.
Carol Mitchell, Paul Steckle, Nick Whyte
on as questions are answered during the
soon seen.
"The next step will be more costly
to this country and especially to this
province," said Vermunt.
Both Mitchell and Steckle
acknowledged the government has
Cheryl Heath photo
and Bluewater mayor Bill Dowson look
recent HCFA luncheon.
more work to do.
Steckle added perhaps it is time
for the federal government to revisit
the possibility of introducing a food
tax with the proceeds funnelled
back into the industry.
15 Goderich S. E. Seaforth
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