HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-03-25, Page 3News
The Huron Expositor • March 25, 2009 Page 3
Ag survey shows more public education needed
Dan Schwab
41111111.1.1.11.
Results of a national survey re-
leased last week show that more
education for the public about pri-
mary agriculture and the economics
of food production is needed, says
Wayne Black, president of the Huron
Federation of Agriculture.
The survey, commissioned by
the Ontario Farm Animal Council
(OFAC), found that more than 95 per
cent of Canadians, both rural and
urban, felt they knew little or noth-
ing about farming.
"That could clearly show how frus-
trated farmers are with the policies
that are set by government at all
levels — local council, provincial and
federal," Black says. "If 95 per cent
do not know farming, then how could
they truly understand what a farm-
er's needs are for competing with
global imports and global markets?"
Black says there are numerous
pieces of legislation recently that
give the impression that "govern-
ment is listening to activists instead
of dealing with sound science."
"When people realize how much of
their grocery bill makes it back to
the farmer, most are outraged," he
says.
Black says the survey's results re-
confirms that there is getting to be a
small difference between urban and
rural results of any farm survey.
"This goes to show that in Ontario
there are more non-farm rural resi-
dents," he says.
He says this is evident in there
being more advertising directed at
rural estate properties, for small or-
ganic gardens,. tractors for lawns and
gardens and eco -friendly properties.
Modest hero recognized
From Page 1
"To do what he did at
his age to get her down?"
said Phillips. "He was in
his bare feet in the snow.
This was a legitimate life-
threatening situation."
There's no doubt Jew is
loved in the community.
Several years ago, a cam-
paign was launched to help
Jew bring his aging moth-
er to Canada from China.
The public donated enough
money to bring her here,
but soon after she arrived,
she decided to return to
her homeland.
"They're great people
who are loved in our com- Susan Hundertmark photo
munity," Phillips said. John Jew holds an OPP citation for lifesaving he re-
ceived in October for saving his wife during a fire.
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"Some of this works well with what
farmers use and need and others do
not work well," Black says.
Almost 2,000 Canadians, includ-
ing more than 400 Ontarians, were
surveyed between Feb. 20-26 for the
study.
It also found that 92 per cent said
they believe local meat is safe, 95 per
cent felt the same about milk and
92 per cent said they felt safe about
buying local eggs.
"The numbers speak volumes about
purchasing food produced under the
scrutiny of our rules and regula-
tions," Black says. "Imported food,
for the most part, is not produced
under the same set of inspections
and procedures. We are proud to
be a part of the chain of events that
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Black says everyone in the supply
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protocols in order to get the quality
product to the consumer, from the
collection facility to the processor,
retail outlet and at all parts of the
transportation and storage process-
es.
The study also found . that 52 per
cent of Canadians have a positive
impression of Canadian agriculture,
up from the 2006 results of 42 per
cent.
The OFAC has conducted the sur-
vey every three years since 1991 to
engage customers about any con-
cerns they might have about safe
food coming from the farm.
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