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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-09-02, Page 12• 4 • -Q1 , • ron-Arucp NDP delegates push for review Vertiment ag Spending at convention Dan .Schwab • 4111111111111111111. Huron -Bruce New Democratic Party delegates are hoping the resolutions regarding agriculture they brought forward during a convention Aug. 14-16 in. Halifax will soon become party policy. Wilhelmina Laurie, an NDP par- ty member since the late 1980s who lives in Varna, says two of the riding association's agricultural resolutions were forwarded to the •federal council from the conven- tion floor. Twelve -hundred delegates brought forward 400 resolutions, which were first• prioritized, and Laurie says the Huron -Bruce res- olution was seventh on the list. They asked for a comprehensive review of agriculture spending in Canada to determine how much of that spending benefits family farm operations. They also asked the party to promote a national food policy that "recognizes the fundamental importance of family farmers to primaty food produc- tion, rural communities, environ- mental health and the economy," Laurie says. • They also requested that the NDP. "actively promote the cap- ping of agricultural program spending to individual farm cor- porations through consultations with farm organizations so as to drive spending away from large, transnational farm corporations and towards family farmers," she says. With members of the National Farmers Union and the Ontario erie/M/ "The best place to bring your special occasion tor We are celebrating our 1st Year! Saturday, September 26,5:00 p.m. , Woiderves & Barbeque Beef Buffet Entertainment by Deep Waters Music Silent Auction - $50 per person Once again this year, this evening will be in part to support (id's Help Phone. Contact us for more infprmation! ike and Teresa Dejong Meighan Dejong Walton, Ontario (519) 527-0202 www.highcreekfarm.ca • hfc@tcc.on.ca Federation of Agriculture on the Huron -Bruce executive board, there is a feeling that transna- tional corporations are a "huge threat" to family farms, Laurie says. . . "When federal funding. is an- nounced, it's not being seen at the ground level," Laurie says. "A lot of money is going to big corpora- tions." Laurie says she's heard from livestock farmers that during the mad -cow disease crisis in Canada several years ago, much of the government funding ended up with large meat processing com- panies. The Huron -Bruce delegation brought forward a second resolu- tion that called for restrictions on captive supply of livestock by meat processing companies. She says part of the problem is that currently, the companies are allowed keep a captive supply of livestock at their operations, which in turn causes the demand for beef to plummet and leaves beef market prices low. U.S. legislators are looking at limiting the captive supply to two weeks for meat processihg compa- nies and Laurie says the Huron - Bruce delegation is pushing the NDP to fight for similar measures in Canada. The resolution was received and passed on to federal council and there's a good chance it'll become party policy in the future, Laurie says. Another problem is that.the ma- jority of large supermarkets in Canada are only allowed to sell federally inspected meat and most family farms have their pork or beef provin- cially inspected. "They have difficulty get- ting food to the supermarkets " Laurie says. "Now, most are just sell- ing their prod- ucts at farmers' markets and to butchers." Laurie says the last three federal NDP candidates who ran in elections in the Huron - Bruce riding have all been farmers and the group wants to ensure agricul- tural issues are not neglected on the national level. "Like the environment, if we're not very careful, we • might lose our family farms," Laurie says. Four del- egates from the Huron -Bruce riding attended the east comfit convention. ilo JOIN AIR CADETS NOW! for youth & teens ages 12 to 18 532 Squadron-Pn;udly Serving Huron County since 1978 Join now to pajticipate in... • Flying and Gliding' • Survival Training • Leadership • Citizenship • Life Skills • Sports • Rifle Handling • Tours • Sharp Uniforms • Summer Training Camps • Come be part of Canada's largest youth group at absolutely no cost! INFORMATION & RECRUITING NIGHT Thurs., Sept. 3rd at Goderich Legion - 7-8 pm www.maitlandaircadets.ca or (519) 524-1331 100% sponsored by National Defence, Air Cadet League & 14gion Branch 109 "Nk U.014.1n, • >4-N- STRATFORD AIR SERVICES Today +519-271-4PS" Get the knowledge you need to be corhpetitive in your job search. Attend a FREE STAR Workshop to learn hg develop your Return - Plan that will get you • „.