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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-03-17, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, March 17,1993 4 Cook !S /)eall glowers .s clll inar More than 55 area bean growers took part in a seminar organized by Cooks to discuss production and competition on March 12. From left are Chuck Rhodes of Michigan who spoke on production practices; Gerry Upshall, Cooks representative; Brad Ford, Cooks representative; Bob Parker, a motivation speaker; and Derwyn Hodgins, Cook's represen- tative. Biotechnology regulations set OTTAWA - Federal regulatory departments have agreed on princi- ples for a more efficient and effec- tive regulatory framework for Ca- nadian biotechnology. These principles will ensure the practical benefits of biotechnology products and processes are bal- anced against the need to protect the environment, human health and safety. They will be the basis of a federal regulatory framework for biotechnology that: • maintains Canada's high stan- dards for the protection of the health of workers, the general pub- lic and the environment; • uses existing legislation and regulatory institutions to clarify re- sponsibilities and avoid duplica- tion; • continues to develop clear guidelines for evaluating products of biotechnology which are in har- mony with national priorities and international standards; • provides for a sound scientific database on which to assess risk and evaluate products; • ensures both the development and enforcement of Canadian bio- technology regulations are open and include consultation; and • contributes to the prosperity and well-being of Canadians by foster- ing a favorable climate for invest- ment, development, innovation and adoption of sustainable Canadian biotechnology products and pro- cesses. "The Canadian agri-food industry must continue to realize the bene- fits of biotechnology in order to hone its competitive edge and keep pace with other countries, notably Japan and the United States," said Bill McKnight, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. who made the announcement on behalf of Ag- riculture Minister Charlie Mayer. "At the same time, this new tech- nology must be developed within a credible framework that puts the priority on health. public safety and the environment." Environment Minister Jean Char - est stated his intention to work with his colleagues to ensure appropriate environmental assessments are con- ducted. The goal of the regulatory frame- work is to minimize environmental risks while fostering competitive- ness through timely introduction of biotechnology products to the mar- ketplace. Industry, Science and Technolo- gy Canada will encourage the ap- plication of biotechnology to main- tain Canadian competitiveeess in national and international markets. "By developing a sound regulato- ry framework that coordinates na- tional priorities and international standards, we can help assure Cana- da's continued international com- petitiveness in biotechnology," Sci- ence Minister Tom Hockin said. The federal departments involved in biotechnology have adopted this framework for regulating biotech- nology and support it as a means of ensuring that biotech products un- dergo thorough environmental and human safety assessment in a time- ly and cost-effective manner. Although biotechnology has been used for centuries, with applica- tions in the brewing and baking in- dustries, for example, new develop- ments in genetic modification have allowed breakthroughs such as the transfer of genes between species. Recent discoveries in this field of- fer potential benefits in a wide range of fields including medicine, food production, forestry, energy and environmental protection. A uta ewor w framill enable the ,biotechnology in try to maxi= mize opportunities while minimiz- ing concerns about human health to and safety and the environment. reg tel' ! Producers Got a news tip? meet fall requirements cavi the T -A at 235-1331 MISSISSAUGA - The effects of poor quality feed on the ability of Ontario milk producers to meet fall seasonality policy require- ments were not nearly as severe as thought earlier in the year. An esti- mated 600 to 700 producers will have seasonality maintenance ad- justments, and most will be small. The seasonality policy encourag- es produces to fill at least 45 per- cent of their market sharing quota (MSQ) -between August and Janu- ary, the first half of the dairy year. Producers who filled less than 85 percent of that amount will lose the use of MSQ making up the dif- ference for the rest of the dairy year. It will be returned to them August 1, the start of the 1993-94 dairy year. On a butterfat basis, MSO ship- ments, including those by cream producers, utilized just under 51 percent of Ontario's MSQ by the end of January, the firsthalf of the dairy year. Producers who filled less than 85 percent of that amount will lose the use of MSQ making up the difference for the rest of the dairy year. It will be returned to them August 1, the start of the 1993-94 dairy year. On a butterfat basis, MSQ ship- ments, including those by cream producers, utilized just under 51 percent of Ontario's MSQ by the end of January. Although total milk marketings for January 1993 were down 7J percent compared to the game :month .a year earlier, cun,ant year-end utilization projec- tions leave little doubt that milk producers will fill 100 percent of their share of MSQ. FluiJ milk sales were down 2.6 percent for the first six months of the 1992-93 dairy year. Any sig- nificant improvements in these sales will reduce the amount of milk available for industrial uses. Meanwhile, the provincial aver- age butterfat test actually went down in January compared to the Same month last year. Although it dropped by only a modest 0.01 kg. Per hl, it was the first decline in many months. Saving dollars and hours One Foot in the Furrow Bob Trotter It was in early February that the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board was, if you'll excuse the ex- pression, roasted by this corner for refusing to give a pork producer the minutes of the pork board's meetings. I called the actions of the direc- tors of the board disdainful, dicta- torial and an abuse of power. Why wouldn't the directors of any or- ganization reveal to a member the bare -bones minutes of a legally - held meeting? In fact, 1 suggested that the board should be happy that at least one of its members wanted more information. The member was Richard Ross, a Wellington County hog farmer. His request for the minutes was refused. He took it to the provincial access to infor- mation commission and the com- mission upheld his request. But the pork board went one far- ther: they appealed the decision. My comment at the time Was: just what does the board have to hide? What is so secretive that their ac- tions are kept behind closed doors? I still feel much the same way but let's hear the other side of the story from Glenn Agnew, secre- tary of the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board. In a recent phone call he told me the minutes arc important because the deliberations of the board could be used to cause hardship to hog producers. The board markets more than half -a -billion dollars worth of hogs a year in this prov- ince. Their deliberations affect the 8,500 producers directly. The big thing to remember is that pork is in competition with all other meats in Ontario. More jm- pcxtantly, what the OPPMB does is watched with keen interest by similar agricultural organizations in the Excited States. Over there, they want to know everything that Canadian producers are doing. Make no mistake: Pork is an in- ternational product and Canadian producers -- more especially, On- tario producers -- have been in the forefront of change and improve- ments. They are watched and imi- tated. Therefore, the pork board does not want to reveal anything that could give their competition an edge and that is the major reason for the secrecy. "There has not been a huge groundswell (from producers) to reveal the minutes," said Agnew. "We just do not want to tipoff our strategies". A one -percent decline in prices can be translated into $45 million less to producers. I am of the opinion that all mar- keting boards should be straining to co-operate with everyone along the food chain from producers to truckers to processors and packers to consumers. In defence of the Ontario. Board, they recentlyLwel- comed John Lauer, president of the Canadian Meat Council and vice president of M.M. Schneider Inc. (;esu can taste the difference quali- ty makes) to a meeting. Such an action was unprecedented. He implored producers to co- operate against the intensifying wave of competition coming from the U.S. The Ontario board was most receptive, a tremendous change from the confrontation tac- tics that used to be so prevalent be- tween producers and packers. For years, farmers have had a deep- seated mistrust of packing compa- nies. All kinds of changes are coming and only this kind( of co-operation will keep Ontario producers com- petitive. The pork board has always had )good people on the executive such as John Lichti of Waterloo Region, the new chairman of the pork board. But I still have a little reserve about not revealing the minutes to a member. If there is no grounds- well from `members, why not give the requesting member the minutes and suggest he keep them confi- dential? It could have saved thou- sands of dollars and hours of time. ow Have us Prepare Your 1992 Tax Return Accurately and Efficiently Starting at $19.00 Receive your refund from Revenue Canada in as little as 2 weeks by filing elect,onlcally with us. Cal/ 263-3039 for an appointment or visit our office in Hensall beside the P.U.C. office 15 years experience W.I. MACGREGOR Farm Accounting Service 114 Icing St., Benoit! Ont. NOM 1X0 me #i. exploring Extravaganzas By Cpaiie,Maes EXETER - The club members opened with the 4-H pledge. The roll call was 'name two things of your own that you use almost every day, a pencil and a comb'. 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