Lakeshore Advance, 2013-02-06, Page 10Wednesday, February 6, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 9
Huron County pork producers want Ontario Pork to work
with other commodity groups to curb powers of OSPCA
Resolution comes Out of
annual meeting in
Seaforth
Susan Hundertmark
The Huron Expositor
Huron County Pork Producers have
!passed a resolution to encourage Ontario
Pork to find common ground with other
commodity groups and work on an action
plan to curb the powers of the Ontario Soci-
ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(OSPCA).
President Phil Dykstra said the resolution
was passed at last week's annual meeting in
Seaforth after Iluron pork farmers heard a
presentation from Sebringvllle-area pork
producer John Nyenhuis at a recent dele-
gate met/ling.
Nyenhuis, who made a similar presenta-
tion as a panel member at a recent meeting
of the Ontario Landowners' Association In
Brussels, was charged with causing ani-
mals to he in distress during a routine trip
to a local abattoir to butcher five pigs with
hernias for the family freezer.
"Out of that situation come some con-
cerns, Local pork producers are feeling
wetly cautious right now and we want to
make sure we have a voice," said Dykstra
during a phone interview after the annual
meeting.
Pointing out that Nyenhuis's experience
with the OSPCA is a big topic among local
pork producers, Dykstra says anyone who
raises livestock of any kind is now at risk of
facing similar charges since "what he diel is
not uncommon practice."
"As livestock producers, if we have a sick
animal, as we all do from time to time, we
do our hest to treat it and bring it back to
health. And, if that animal is in a barn or a
truck, it seems we now run the risk of being
charged. The situation is troubling," he
said.
Dykstra said Huron pork producers agree
if
"Out of that situation come
some concerns. Local pork
producers are feeling pretty
cautious right now and we
want to make sure we have
a voice"
— President Phil Dykstra
that a peer committee needs to be formed
that would include farmers and other agri-
cultural experts like veterinarians so that
common agricultural practices are not
misrepresented.
"We need a peer group that understands
agriculture so that if there's an issue, it gets
dealt with appropriately and we can hold
each other accountable," he said.
Dykstra said the pork producers are also
concerned about how the OSPCA is
funded.
"The method by which the OSPCA gath-
ers funds to pay their staff also strikes us as
being lopsided as well," he said.
At the OLA meeting in Brussels, Carleton -
Mississippi Mills MPP Jack Maclaren said
the ()SPCA gets one quarter of its funding
from the province and raises the rest
through donations and revenue generated
by seizing animals and fining animal
owners.
Dykstra said the Iluron County Pork Pro-
ducers are hoping Ontario Pork will lobby
the provincial government through MPPs
and the Agriculture Minister to make
changes to OSPCA Act.
So far, Dykstra says he doesn't know of
any Iluron County pork producers who
have experienced a similar situation to
Nyenhuis with the OSPCA.
Bluewater resident gets bilked out of $13,000
OPP
A Bluewater resident is out $13,000
after failing victim to an online fraud.
Huron OPP received report of the
fraud on January 24. The victim
reported he was shopping online for a
Dodge Ram Power Wagon pickup
truck. 1 le located a truck on an online
website for $13,000 and entered into a
transaction via email to purchase the
. The victim was directed to an
Mine escrow account service and
was instructed to fill out some forms
in order to initiate payment to the
seller. 'lie funds were electronically
deposited from the victim's bank
account to the sellers account located
in Madrid, Spain. The victim was
informed his vehicle would arrive five
days later.
'the victim later attempted to locate
the online advertisement and the link
to the online escrow service however
was unable to do so as they had been
removed by the stammer,
The victim also attempted to have
his bank stop payment on the trans-
actions however the money was long
gone.
Some fraud protection tips are
offered below:
Consumers are encouraged to deal
with companies or Individuals that
they know by reputation or from past
experience. If you are not familiar
with a particular company, independ
entiy verify their physical address and
phone number.
If the seller only wants to communicate via email this
may he an indication of a fraud.
Ile aware of online escrow sites, most are FRAUDULENT.
1f directed from a website to another escrow website he
very cautious as the website you have been directed to is
quite likely spoofed.
Low prices that make the deal seem to() good to be true
may he an Indicator of fraud.
Stammers will often create fraudulent postings on legit
Innate websites and will utilize logos and brand names as a
form of reassurance, be careful.
If purchasing online, verify the fraud coverage with the
payment method that you choose to use. lysing a credit
card is often the most secure method for a customer.
If you think you or someone you know has been a victim
of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti -Fraud Centre at
AM 495.0551 or www.antlfraucicentre.ca
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