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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-01-07, Page 2• • • • Pe. 2 ThHwn • SeAfki-k7Z' • • . - ..-f •4. Huron farmers looking for federal government to acknowledge promises made in 2 Dan Schwab 4111111.11111M With a federal budget expected in a few weeks, both regional .and provincial agricultural groups want the government to acknowledge the promises it made to farmers in 2008. Wayne Black, president of the Hu- ron County Pederation ofAgriculture, hopes the federal Conservatives will come through with the.propOsed Ag- riflex program — a government fund. that will enable regional or ityspecific programming. Through a federal -provincial cost- sharing formula, Agriflex would help producers improve profitability in a way that addresses the unique needs of each specific region across Cana- ,• - While Black says that crop prices are currently "edging up in the right direction for farmers," he suspects 2009 will not see prices as high as the previous year. "But it's possible prices will be high enough to counteract the high fertil- izer prices," he says. "As long as the price of oil stays lower, fuel prices should not be a major concern like this past year." He also says many farmers will da. Wayne Ia� be combining corn well into the new year, maybe as late as spring. "Since the snow -melt we have seen a lot of corn failing down now so that will prove to be more difficult for &lners," he says. Flu -niers need frozen ground to sup- port the weight of machinery used to harvest the corn. As long as fields remain soft and muddy, farmers will be forced to continue to wait. Black says 2009 will also be a test - SMOKE -FREE RIDE ea If you're a parent who smokes, you know it can be hard to resist lighting up in the car. But it exposes your kids to the risk of serious childhood illnesses. Even on short trips. Even with the windows rolled down. Campaign for a Smoke-free Ride is asking parents across Ontario to protect their kids by not smoking in the car. It may not be easy. But your kids will thank you for it. :#71441,4 • .. Call 1 -888 -344 -LUNG (5864) for more Information, - or visit smokefreeride.ca 4,-- •e• 4.1.-.4-r. • , . • • • k. r • -•.4 t,•<4 4., • - ing year for how COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) will affect livestock farmers. • COOL took effect .Sept. 30 in the U.S. and requires by law that all muscle cuts and ground beef, chick- en, pork, lamb and goat, as well as fresh and frozen fruits and vegeta- bles, be clearly labeled at retail indi- cating their country of origin. The, concern is that some major U.S. processors have already an- nounced they won't be buying any more pigs born outside the U.S. now that COOL has taken effect. If a hog is born in Canada and shipped to the U.S. for processing, the label will read "Product of Can- ada and the U.S." The increased cost of record keep- ing for producers and processors and additional expenses from animal segregation in processing could af- fect markets. " - "By this time next year we will have a better idea ast� how negative it will affect loc0 prices and whether there will be any progress made from the Conservative Government — if they remain in power," Black says. "This pretty much affects the pork and beef farmers mainly. Between the two of them it amounts to $270 million in farmgate sales in Huron County based on 2006 census." Black adds that pork and beef are the two biggest commodities in Hu- ron County. Job losses have hit particularly hard across the province in the agri- food sector recently — in everything from growing and harvesting to pro- cessing, transportation and retailing, says to Bette Jean Crews, president of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, in a press release last month. "In Ontario, the agri-food sector is behind almost 700,000 jobs," Crews says. Crews said the OFA is reminding Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri -Food Gerry Ritz about "promis- es made but left unfulfilled, such as the $100 million investment for the Cost of Production program." • "Our cattle and hog farmers need to see emergency advances extended for another year ... beginning farm- ers need.programs adjusted to their needs," she says. • Crews says there also needs to be better regulations for Product of Canada labeling, so consumers are better informed about where the food they are buying is produced. County councillors question ew program to re Iace Road A new program that slipped under county council's radar inspired some councilors to ask pointed questions. Coun. Bill Dowson wondered why the Coali- tion for Huron Invention Program (CHIP) was introduced without county council's knowl- edge. The short answer, said the warden, is the province mandates the implementation, of pro- grams promoting road safety and since there was money left over from the now defunct Road Watch program, those dollars were fun- nelled into the new project, which'falis under the Huron County Health Unit's puxview. Once the funding runs out, noted Bezaire, it is likely CHIP representatives will be ap- proaching lower -tier municipalities for fund- ing to remain operational. "Who controls the money?" asked Dowson. "The short answer is the board of health, though CHIP's next steps will require the co- operation of county council. Coun. Bill Simon, meanwhile, noted that Road Watch signs must be taken down since the program has been discontinued. • B Cheryl Heath 4-1.;;•-• Linda itiaume Design Consultant Bob Smyth. Devi kit Consh kat wast Coact kitchens.-. And Much More • Kitchens • customtranities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PR ons SIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Si4owroom! • 50 West $t. Goderich $19-440-0352 • 1-866440-0352 Ooda:kb & Ditb*t Chamber ofCoss.wrc. Bakes, qf ON Year Award 2006 Email: westamstkk.cabletv.onsca • 11‘. • HURON COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE Re; 2069 COUNTY OF HURON BUDGET . •• The Draft 2009 County of Huron Budget will be reviewed at a - Special Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., Council Chambers, Court House, Goderich, Ontario. -1-.. Barbara A. Leamen s% 0.4..t- . County Clerk The Corporation of the County of Huron - 1 Court House Square Goderich, Ontario N7A 1M2 *).' ; : s t ' 'a' (OP / §Witif0 • • • # • lk 4 1 i. e • 4 -* 4 v. 1r * , . . , .. . 4-1.;;•-• Linda itiaume Design Consultant Bob Smyth. Devi kit Consh kat wast Coact kitchens.-. And Much More • Kitchens • customtranities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PR ons SIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Si4owroom! • 50 West $t. Goderich $19-440-0352 • 1-866440-0352 Ooda:kb & Ditb*t Chamber ofCoss.wrc. Bakes, qf ON Year Award 2006 Email: westamstkk.cabletv.onsca • 11‘.