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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1993-12-22, Page 39Supply manageme to be g d out MP Steckle disappointed by G*W OTTAWA - Paul Steckle, Mem- ber otParliament for Huron -Bruce said fast Wednesday he was ex- tremely disappointed at the out - ,come of the Uruguay round of GATT negotiations respecting Arti- cle Xl. "There is no question that the loss of Article XI is very disappointing, but we did achieve some important gaits in other agricultural sectors such es in grains and red meat." Steckle went on to say that "while it is imperative that we strengthen all the agricultural sec- tors, I believe we as a country can- not afford to abandon our supply managed commodities." Steckle noted that Canada's pre- ferred method of maintaining our supply management system was by means of strengthening Article XI in the GATT. "Unfortunately strengthening Ar- ticle X1 was not possible; Canada must now explore new options that will not only maintain, but strength- en supply management, so the in- dustry may prosper in the future. There are always options open to us to safeguard supply management." Steckle said: "This is not a time to panic, there is still time before the new GATT agreement goes into effect. The fact is that supply man- agement is much more than Article XI and I believe that we must use this time wisely and come together to find workable solutions to this problem." Steckle concluded: "The fight is not over and with the help of my caucus colleagues we will find a so- lution to this problem. I am firmly committed to supply management and will spare no time or energy in support of the farmers and industry. However Agriculture and Agri - Food Minister Ralph Goodale was saying the agreement will have broad benefits including a substan- tial reduction in trade -distorting subsidies and more secure access to markets around the world. The agreement will result in addi- tional export opportunities for beef and pork products, wheat, barley, malt products, aged cheddar and other cheese products, and will help strengthen the international price for red meats. As part of the agreement, Canada will also be able to continue a sup- ply management system as an ef- fective approach to producing and marketing dairy and poultry prod- ucts. Appropriate levels of tariffs will replace the import quotas that currently protect these products. Production quotas will continue in effect. Goodale also stressed the impor- tance of working together with in- dustry, between now and the imple- mentation date, to develop marketing systems for Canada that will be successful for the long- term. "It is now up to us domestically to determine how we want these marketing systems to function for the future," Goodale said. "Our goal at the GATT talks was to get the best deal possible for Canadian Things look bleak this Christ- mas for some of the sector in agriculture that have been under supply management. As this is written, the negotia- tors in Geneva for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trades are saying Canada is not going to be able to strengthen Article 11 which would retain and rebuild those areas in agri- culture which practice supply management. 'The dairy industry, the feath- ers industry -- chicken, turkey and eggs -- could be in sham- bles in a few weeks. I have supported supply man- agement for 30 years because I think it gives control of produc- gto the fanner, the primary cels, whefe'' f `-should fie. But I'm afraid tariffication is coming whether farmers like it or not. It is a system whereby tariffs would be implemented to keep prices at a reasonable level at home with a gradual reduc- tion of those tariffs as our farm- ers Team how to compete in world trade. In addition, I believe the na- tional chicken marketing sys- tem is breathing its last gasps and, formy money, the national board has been committing sui- cide for 20 years anyway. Well, make it 10. Ontario has been notoriously short of chick- en for 10 years. The shortage became more acute in the last five years. The whole country knew it but the parochial atti- tudes displayed by members of the National Chicken Marketing Agency when Ontario demand- ed more quota has prompted Ontario to ignore the agency and increase production by 35 percent with or without the agency's approval. When you read this deathless prose, the national agency will be meeting to discuss the crisis. Ontario's uni-lateral move could scuttle it all. And 1 do not blame Ontario farmers. They have been patient too long. So the spirit of Christmas is muted along many farm lanes this year. The quota systems set up by some marketing boards could disappear in the spring sun- shine. I believe Canadian farm- ers can compete in world mar- kets. I also believe the only way they can expand their markets is offshore. I believe some of the smartest, Most' bt'illiiant young farmers in Canada can work within their marketing boards to concentrate quickly on how to operate suc- cessfully under tariffication. These people have the know- how to adapt and adopt to world trading and will rise to the chal- lenge. To rant and rave and scream and cry to keep the stat- us quo when the rest of the world -- with the exception of farmers -- is eager to make trade a global thing will only isolate this country into becoming a third-rate nation. Have I abandoned my long- term stance in favor of market- ing boards? No. Not at all. I am saying that it is time marketing boards joined the rest of the world. They can and should play a huge part in keeping Ca- nadian agriculture in a world- class state. So, this Christmas could be a time for all to sit back and re- assess futures. When the won- derful loving spirit of Christmas is alive in the land and in our hearts, perhaps we can all be a little more tolerant, a little more aware of where others are com- ing from. And no matter what goes on in the rest of the world, I hope your home is happy this Christ- mas. May your table groan, your stomach expand and your heart be warm with love and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Who became the Christ to show the whole world the real meaning of love. interests. Now we must work to- gether to get the maximum benefit for Canada. Overall, the agreement is expected to have a positive Im- pact on Canadian agri-food, offer- ing greater market access, a clearer definition of subsidies and better trade -dispute settling mechanisms." Goodale added the economic forecast by the Organization for Ec- onomic Cooperation and Develop- ment (OECD) predicts the agree- ment will inject almost S8 billion into the Canadian economy by the year 2002. The agreement will take effect July 1, 1995. Times -Advocate, December 22,1993 Page 39 Merry Christmas Happy & Healthy New Year Usborne Township Council and stab Holiday Hours OFFICE CLOSED from December 24, 1993 at noon to January 3, 1994 inclusive Kirkton Dump: Closed January 1, 1994 Open January 15, 1994 New Year's Levee: January 9, 1994 from 2-4 p.m. Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre HRISTJVIAS sr Artie; One of the joys of Christmas is remembering. It's always nice for us to recall the pleas- ant association we have with our customers. Many thanks. Thank you for your patronage and we look forward to serving you in the New Year tiefoikej Russeldale Farm Equipment Ltd. a 519-229-8975 RR 1 Mitchell S4 ' O C OMCCO= i OW.C. W. Ci i OM a CCDM C.10101 0101010 it We truly hope your stockings will be filled to the top with gifts of joy, hope and love Our thanks. Through the s Chrivtmas wishes. In this it for your holiday happiness, a red countryside go our warmest e greet our friends and customers, with hopes • h genuine appreciation for your good will. Gwyn SYSTIIU LTD 244 Wellington St. W., Exeter 235-1919 i1 4 EXETER 2361115 MYTH 5234244 TIMININIFORD 285411045/1400-563-3645 CHRISTMAS HOURS Closed Dec. 24 - Noon Closed: Dec. 25, 26 Closed: Jan. 1, 1994