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Times Advocate, 1991-12-18, Page 47Times -Advocate, December 18. 1991 Page 31 ARMI4IWMTFL vas. - Tuberculosis outbreak on Ontario game farms PETERBOROUGH - Warnings from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) about the dangers of game fanning to indigenous wildlife are coming true, after confirmation from Agri- culture Canada that stock from at least seven Ontario deer farms will be slaughtered because of bovine tuberculosis (Tb). Earlier this year, the OFAH recommended to the provincial gov- ernment that deer farming be banned, because of potentially devas- tating effects to wildlife and habitats. Now, deer farm operations near Barrie, Hamilton, Brampton and Cambridge have become infected with Tb, and the stocks have either been slaughtered, or are scheduled for the process. Agriculture Cana- da is also auempting to trace stock on three other farms suspected of harboring the deadly disease. In addition to threatening wildlife, bovine Tb spreads easily to hu- mans and threatens the country's bid for "Tb -free" livestock status, worth millions of dollars to agriculture. A 250 -head game farm near Orillia has also been quarantined be- cause of an outbreak of "muscle worm," a deadly neurological brain parasite that Ontario's wildlife have never been exposed to before. A similar farm of 980 deer in New Brunswick will either be slaugh- tered, or deported, while officials decide on the Ontario farm's fate. Agriculture Canada has not released any information to the public about the latest Ontario game farm slaughters. The OFAH called for a deer farming ban earlier this year, follow- ing the government liquidation of 600 lb -infected animals at a game farm near Sundridge, Ontario. In an exhaustive research and position paper, the OFAH asked the provincial government to phase out deer farming over a five-year period, and offer compensation to existing operators. "The risks have been clear from day one," said Ed Reid, OFAH wildlife biologist. "But we're no longer talking about risks. Now it's reality. The inevitable series of diseases carried by these exotic deer species are entering our ecosystem and they could devastate wildlife and domestic stock. "The federal and provincial governments must act swiftly to con- tain these serious outbreaks and put the wheels in motion to end all deer farming," Reid added. "We warned that quarantine and testing systems would not hold back disease," he said. "In the case of the muscle worm, the 1,200 animals that entered the country were tested three times in their home New Zealand, and three times in Canada. Those tests were all at 30 -day intervals. "If they still managed to import these diseases after all that testing, then the government has to admit there's something wrong." Both federal and provincial experts have agreed there's a problem, said Reid, and the federal government recently suspended all game farm importation of deer species. Reid said it's simple to use a chemical inhibitor that would allow muscle worm infested stock to pass inspection. "The available loop holes entirely shred the value of the inspection system," he said. "It's time everyone started to take this very, very seriously." And costs for game farming are mounting, Reid said, pointing out that depopulation of the eight diseased sites in Ontario could cost taxpayers as much as $8 million. "Deer farming is proving to be in- credibly expensive for something that was supposed to strengthen the farm economy. It is of almost no good to the general public." The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters has 74,000 mem- bers and 470 clubs. Fifty years ago, few farmers had to plan for retirement. They did not need to. They sold the farm either to arms -length buyers or to family. They retired on the proceeds. Some sold lots of lots. But when the urban explosion hit southwestern Ontario and eastern Ontario after the war years, govem- ments, from local to provincial, de- cided something had to be done to prevent lot severances. Severances became another method of retirement. Some farm- ers in the years after the war be- came rich when their farms were in close proximity to expanding towns and cities. Why prevent severances? It's simply a matter of economics. Lot severances come about in the coun- try. Enough of this "strip" develop- ment -- lots along highways and well -travelled county roads -- leads to unserviceable land. When urban dwellers come to the country, they demand city services. They want all roads plowed before 8 a.m. They want water, sewers, schools in the backyard, no odors from farm animals, paved roads', sidewalks, you -name -it. Many ser- vices are unavailable to rural dwellers. Rural communities can- not supply them but transplanted urbanites keep demanding them. So, rural municipal councils be- gan to restrict the sale of lots in the country. No severances of less than "Heap on more wcxxt! The wind is chill, But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still" - - Sir Walter Scoff Marmon Let the spirit of peace and brotherhood all the world through enrich your season and touch your lives. Our special thanks for your support. Division of \.,+ Parrish & Heimbeoker, limited Hensall Centralia Klrkton 282-2410 226-6661 229-0986 Beechwood Parkhill 232-4281 294-6256 Walton Ambarley Atwood 527-1540 395-3601 356-2292 20 acres became a normal bylaw which meant "single" lots had to be huge. And costly, especially, when the price of land skyrocketed. Even so, farmers were distressed because many "retiring" farmers had to buy a 20 -acre lot or move to town. The, local councils began al- lowing a single lot severance on farm properties. This worked well, too, until lawyers began to figure out that they could sever a lot and sell it to a farmer but, in turn, buy it from the farmer and sell it to any- one. Farmers, too, got in on the act. We can't blame everything on the lawyers, can we? But it became more difficult, as rural councils caught up with trends, to buy a lot in the country. Those in planning and zoning jobs and people who saw a need to get tough about preserving farm land got bylaws passed that made it next to impossible to sever land in agricultural areas. Farmers in areas such as the Ni- agara Peninsula saw the need to preserve that precious land and dis- couraged lot severances. Until re- cently. Then, they badgered local coun- cils to allow them to sell a lot for fi- nancial reasons. They are, unques- tionably, in dire straits. The press has printed many stories about the troubles of trying to make a buck in agriculture. No need to amplify it again here. But the province. stepped in again and said no to farmers in Niagara Region. They cannot now sever a lot for financial reasons, even though some local councils were considering such bylaws. Ontario Agriculture Minister El- mer Buchanan has put a stop to it and rm on his side. Farmers cannot have it both ways. They cannot be in the forefront of preserving land in this country and then shout for special favors when they need money. It's either preserve them and forever or let it all go to devel- opers. There is no in-between and Bu- chanan made a decisive step by pre- venting lot severances in legislation that will supersede local councils. It is another example of tough meas- ures taken by the province, of ac- tion to prove, once again, that local municipalities have little autonomy when the crunch comes. It is also an example of why local councils should be subservient to the province. "The long-term solutions to eco- nomic problems facing our agricul- tural communities are not achieved by paving over or fragmenting irre- placeable farmland," said Bucha- nan. You got that right, Elmer. AC171Lb WAS J3ORN... Let every heart rejoice in the hope and promise born on that holy night. Our gratitude for your kind support Barry Miller, June and staff °best 'Wis'hes kTo wish you holiday greetings, fi filled with special joys! Thank you for your patronage 4, From the Management and Staff fl Parker & Parker Ltd. R.R. 2 Zurich Phone Wayne Cook Ft 236-7390 4 - A 0 ►/ i t fa I Hensall Livestock Sales Ltd. HENSALL s siosim 10% Financing Big Cash Discounts Now you have more reasons to buy a White planter. (As if superior quality wasn't enough.) • Most accurate seed spacing available on a planter today • Accurate depth placement with our unique walking beam depth wheels ■ The gentlest air handling system for less damage to the seed coat • No talcum powder or graphite to coat the seed • No costly high maintenance seals in our metering unit ■ Drain tubes on each row unit for quick changeover of seed varieties ■ Lower power requirements from our low air pressure IN Forward fold models ■ Vertical fold models • Double frame models • No till and min -till attachments • Liquid or dry fertilizer Special finance options OAC 6 month interest waiver 0% for 18 months 6.4% for 24 months 8.9% for 36 months Stop by today to see the most accurate and effi- cient planter technology at the best prices In 1991 C.G. Farm Supply Ltd. Ry wRf W rc.