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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-07-14, Page 12•M AR ) Page 12. Times -Advocate;, July 14,1993 r Biddulph Several hundred people, mindful of last year's disastrous com harvest, attended the Corn Day held at Dietrich Farms in Biddulph and sponsored by the Ontario Agricultural Training Institute and OMAF. The day included crop tours, guest speakers and displays of the latest high tech equipment. One To& in the FUl7OW Bob Trotter Farmers continue to bicker .and bitch among themselves and I can see the multi -national food compa- nies and the big chain stores chor- tling with glee. Divided farmers are easy to con- quer. A classic example of farmers fighting farmers is evident in the legislation being prepared by the provincial agminister, Elmer -Bu- chanan, for an automatic checkoff that farmers would pay. The pro- ceeds would go to three general farm organizations, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers -Federation of Ontario and the provincial section of the National Farmers Union. The plan is to have all .farmers pay $150 to the provincemltich,,in turn, would return the money to any of the three organizations indi- cated by the farmer. Those who do not want to pay to any farm group can have the fee returned. This part of the bill was included atthe request of several groups. The principle of having all who benefit help to pay for those bene- fits is not new. Labour unions have had automatic checkoffs for dec- ades. Only -recently have courts al- lowed- those checkoffs to be re- funded or given to the charity of choice. Ever since the 1islation has been in the planning stages, all kinds of opposition has been mounted including a.group calling itself the Silent Majority. A mem- ber of the -group is Joe Daunt of Listowel. It was this group plus several others that persuaded -the province to withdraw the first bill and make some necessary. changes such as the provision to have the $150 retumed at the request of the farmer. Dissension in a democracy is healthy. Everyone is entitled t0-1111 opinion and 'the opposition to the original bill brought about>some much needed changes in the word- ing. But now these same people are opposed -- again -- to passing the bill. Daunt recently told the puss that,- the proposal to allow farmers .10-. claim refunds does not make the program truly voluntary„, -He warns' that the next step will be to wipe out refunds and make the annual payment compulsory. I suggest that most of the 70 percent of Ontario farmers that have consciously decided not to re- main, or not to become, a member of a general farm organization will ask for a refund," Daunt claims. "Because this IPgidsition will not achieve the goals of the Ontario Federation. of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation Deadline awroaching NISA workshop is i*nnl1 CLINTON - You have just dust- ed off your 1992 NISA Program application and have discovered that the deadline is July 31. Ques- tions concerning what fortes do I need, how much money, how ddds the program work, etc. stir in your mind. The bottom line is that you want to understand how the "pro- gram works and you want a prdper- ly completed application. With this in mind, another NISA workshop is planned for Wednes- day, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the seminar morn of the Ontario Minis- try of Agriculture and Food Office in Clinton. Pre -registration is re- quired by contacting the office at 482-3428 or 1-800-265-5170 by Friday, July 16. The pUrpose of the workshop will be,to give an overview of the forms required, to look at -key Steals on the forms, -to discuss the ptttpd+e of the program and to answer que*tidns. o, it will be but a short time before the cries of 'freeloader' and 'people not paying their share' are heard again." He claims the cry will be heard to delete the word "refundable" in the legislation. He wants a free -and democratic vote of all farmers be- fore -the bill is passed This automatic checkoff seemed, to me anyway, an excellent method of providing duet income. Ifa-farm- er does not want to pay, -all 'he or she las to do is ask for -a refund. Simple at that.Under the new pro- visions of the legislation, the Onta- rio Ministry of Agriculture .and food will handle all registration costs. Fanners will make their cheques payable to any one of the three general farm organizations and those who want a refund will file a request with the farm organi- zation of their choice. think Buchanan, in withdrawing the original bill and making the changes, has fulfilled his obligation to those who opposed the original. I say let's get on with it and give these organizations the money they treed. They've been in limbo king * Fast Unloading * Accurate Grades * Competitive Prices * Quick Settlements FOR YOUR J93 WHEAT CROP 'This year deliver your crop to the WS. Thompson Sons Elevator nearest you! R. "The Home of Karena, Rebecca, Augusta and Ruby Seed Wheat" A NISA account can be used tor several purposes. As a "safety net", it allows withdrawals when the farm's gross -margin falls below av- erage'.or when the individual or farm family's taxable i4come falls below $10,000 or $20,000 respec- tively. Per seine 1far netsNTSA ' ll be used as another retiretnent sav- ings vehicle. 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