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Times Advocate, 1993-09-08, Page 22Page 22 Times -Advocate, September 8,1993 Is Huron County MPP Paul Klopp in conflict? TORONTO - A lobby group claims four MPPs, including Hu- ron's Paul Klopp, are in a potential conflict-of-interest position over a farm bill. The Ontarians for Responsible Government (ORG) says the four MPPs are sitting on the committee overseeing Bill 42. The NDP's Paul Klopp, and Conservatives No- ble Villeneuve, Leo Jordan and Bill Murdock have all been active mem- bers of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, a group which the ORG says will benefit from Bill 47s proposal to make membership mandatory. "Clearly, there is a potential con- flict of interest situation here," said ORG president Colin Brown. "The whole credibility of the proceed- ings is undermined." "Here are a bunch of politicians setting up a taxpayer -financed reg- istration drive for a union -like or- ganization," said Brown. "Farmers should have the freedom to decide whether they want to join the OFA or any other group." Bill 42, known as the stable fund- ing bill, is now before the Commit- tee on Resources Development, and would have the effect of forcing farmers to join either the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, or the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, states the ORG. Farmers who refuse to join would lose their Farm Tax Rebate. "This bill infringes on the right of farmers to associate," said Brown. "After all, freedom of association should also mean the freedom not to associate." Klopp, however, said the poten- tial conflict issue was resolved be- fore the committee `was created. A judge was first consulted on the conflict possibility, but he assured the group there was none. Klopp also refuted the ORG's claim that the bill was making sup- port of the OFA or CFFO mandato- ry. "They do have free choice," said Klopp, who called the bill a "man- datory refundable program." Ontario farmers would be re- quired to join one of the organiza- tions if for no other reason than to be formally registered - so that data can be forwarded to the provincial government. If the farmer does not wish to support the organization, the membership fee must be re- funded. "There has to be some way to force farmers to join an organiza- tion, and still allow new groups to form," said Klopp, who called the program the most cost-effective way for the government to get a "snapshot" of the Ontario 'farm economy. Statistical data provided to the government by Statistics Canada, or the marketing boards falls short of what is needed, he said. "It's unbelievable how it doesn't tie into a lot of things," he said. The MPP said the mandatory reg- istration aspect of Bill 42 is just a means of getting Ontario farmers properly accredited; but he also said he still supports the OFA's no- tion of uniting Ontario farmers. "I have bought into the principle that farmers should stand together better," he said, and pointed out that was one reason he wanted to sit on this committee. The committee is made up of 11 members altogether to develop the stable funding bill, and Klopp said not all may favour the mandatory Good Food story MILTON - Ontario's "good food story" will be told during the Onta- rio Agricultural Museum's 1993 Fall Festival of Food, Sunday Sep- tember 12. Held in co-operation with the Agri -Food Network, this event highlights the main concern of con- sumers - safety, quality and nutri- tion of the food they eat. In an educational and festive at- mosphere you can discover how our food system works - from farm to table. Visitors can do some shopping for groceries as local producers will be selling fresh Ontario pro- duce. Producers, processors and re- tailers will provide informative dis- plays and discuss their role in providing quality food products. Games, contests, cooking demon- strations anti lots of free samples will get the entire family excited over this event. The "food through .. history" theme will be enhanced through demonstrations by costumed inter- preters in our historic buildings. The museum's 80 acre site will be alive with fall colours on a back- drop of the Niagara Escarpment. Explore the site through wagon rides or on foot and discover Onta- rio's rural past. Located 5 km west of Milton, visitors can reach the museum from Highway 401 at exit 312 or 320 north and follow the signs. The On- tario Agricultural Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through September 26, 1993. New Dairy Educator MISSISSAUGA - Ontario's new Dairy Educator is 21 year-old Kar- en Howling , from Waterloo County. Howling was chosen by a panel of selectors who conducted intef- views and observed the school presentations of Howling and eight other final applicants at The Onta- rio Milk Marketing Board (OMMB). The nine fatalists had previously participated in one of three Region- al selection processes this summer across the province of Ontario. Howling's position as the first Ontario Dairy Educator was an - pounced at Lionhead Golf and Country Club on August 25 at 9:00 p.m. She said, "I felt excited and honoured when my name was an- nounced because I see the role of Ontario Dairy Educator as an op- portunity to give back to an indus- try I believe in." As Ontario Dairy Educator, Howling becomes a full-time em- ployee of The Ontario Milk Mar- keting Bayard for the next year. She will speak to thousands of school children as well as take part in tele- vision and media interviews and participate at special events like the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Mark Coulthard "WHY AERATE YOUR LAWN?" Aeration is beneficial for your lawn in a number of ways. Aeration will overcome a compacted soil. Compacted soils make it difficult for roots to grow, limiting the movement of air, moisture and fertil- izer through the soil. It can also reduce your water requirements by relieving soil compaction. Water penetration is increased and water run-off is reduced. If your lawn has a thick layer of thatch, aeration will push through that layer and improve E r, water and nutrient penetration. This will enhance the development of a deep root system. A deeply rooted lawn will be healthier and better able to withstand drought, disease and insect stress. 235 3535 le 23ER 5 3535 WE CARE FOR YOUR LAWN SEE US FOR ALL YOUR LAWN INSECT NEEDS: • ANTS • EARWIGS • CHINCH BUGS • GRUBS • ETC • CALL FOR A FREE LAWN INSPECTION AND QUOTATION. membership clause, but he is there cheque from the OFA, or I'm the sible Government are taking the to support it. president of the OFA," said Klopp, wrong approach to voice opposition "Conflict is if I'm getting a who said the Ontarians for Respon- to the bill. - "There's a group against the bill, and they're using it (alleged con- flict] as an excuse," said Klopp. Rumours spreading faster than virus HURON PARK - As cases of Bo- vine Virus Diarrhea, or BVD in- creased over the past few months rumours have led to fear rather than cautious concern for -the welfare of livestock. To address concerns of beef, dairy and veal farmers, a special in- formation meeting was scheduled last Thursday in Seaforth. Dr. Ann Godkin, a veterinary specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Fergus, along with Dr. Emest Sanford, of Centralia College veterinary labora- tory services attempted to set the record straight on the virus. "There has been an increase in the disease, especially over the past six months," Dr. Sanford said in a telephone interview on Friday. But, he said, the rumour mill makes it sound as if entire herds have been wiped out. Dr. Godkin said there are only about three reported herds affected by the virus in Huron County. "Across the province there are about 12 reported herds with severe cases," she said. The doctors said the virus is not new by any means. It has been around since the 1940's and there are cases of the vi- rus every year. BVD is a disease that affects the lining of the gastro-intestinal tract. A high fever and lethargy accompa- nied by ulcers can also be symp- toms. Dr. Godkln said inflamma- tion of the intestinal lining can result in diarrhea, dysentery, blood loss and dehydration. The end re- sult can be death. The virus is toughest on young stock which have yet to be vacci- nated, she said. The virus can manifest itself in more than one way and the animal can harbor the virus for quite some time without showing any symp- toms of illness. Dr. Godkin said the rate of infec- tion probably hasn't changed over the years, it's just that this year live- stock are showing symptoms of the virus. Although there is an increase in cases, Dr. Sanford doubts entire herds will be wiped out. "Most herds have been vaccinated," he said. "It's just a matter of whether it was done properly." Unfortunately, 'Dr. Godkin said, rumours have lead to fears. Some farmers are now shying away from livestock shows orbringing new an- imals into•the herd for breeding. "Fairs have always been a risk and always will be," she said. 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