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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-9-14, Page 11J',4 A a r Times -Advocate, September 14, 1994 Page 11 Pressure delays tax exemption for ethanol One Foot in the Furrow. . 1 By Bob Trotter It is difficult to understand why the federal govemment has dilly-dallied for months in granting a 10 year exemption from the 8.,5 cents -per -litre fed- eral tax on ethanol. Here we have a plant ready to be built in Chatham which would produce ethanol and Ontario farmers could sell 200 million bushels of corn to the plant. Exhaustive tests have al- ready proven that ethanol added to gasoline acts as an octane booster and lowers the emission of pollutants. As this is written, approval of the tax exemption still seems to be weeks, even months in the future. There are good reasons not to continue the federal tax exemp- tion such as a loss of revenue to the feds, something in the neigh- bourhood of $17 million a year from the Chatham plant alone. But I think the major reason for the delay is pressure from the big oil companies. Exemptions to anything else but petroleum could cut into their revenues and the r get a lit- tle huffy about ethanol getting any special consideration. Any deal cut that would favor etltjtnol will cut into their refin- eries, say the big oil barons al- though they have accepted mas- sive government involvement in some of their megaprojects over the years but they do not want anyone else in their line of work to get a special break. These people, in my humble opinion, do not deserve one glance from the government, any government. It is time someone called them all to task. They keep holding us up at the gas pumps every week. I cannot figure out how they can justify selling gasoline at 46 cents a litre today and 59 cents a litre tomorrow. It seems to me the price of gas goes up at the pumps just before every long weekend, every weekend in the summer months, then drops by five or 10 cents a litre on Mon- day or Tuesday.. How can they justify these drastic fluctuations? Ten cents a litre at the pumps can mean al- most $7 on a fillup. When you figure out how many tanks get filled at every pump in the prov- ince for a weekend, you are talk- ing huge sums of money indeed. I don't think they should get any consideration at all when it comes to ethanol. Enough re- search has gone into production of this gas to justify a green light. Commercial Alcohols Inc. of Brampton is right ready to pro- ceed with a $170 -million plant to produce ethanol in Chatham. The plant would create up to 100 permanent jobs and up to 400 long-term spinoff jobs. And these estimates do not include the construction jobs, estimated at more than 500 for two years. But Commercial Alcohols wants that 8.5 cents a litre ex- emption guaranteed before building the plant. Company of- ficials have said they just might build the plant in the United States if the exemption isn't guaranteed for 10 years because Steckle welcomes new FCC program GODERICH - Paul Steckle, Member of Parliament for Huron - Bruce has welcomed the recent an- nouncement by the Agriculture and Agri -Food Minister Ralph Goodale regarding a new Farm Credit Cor- poration (FCC) financial program. The Family Farm Loan plan is de- signed to meet the needs of retiring farmers who want to pass the farm to the next generation. Steckle noted, "Although the plan was designed for the transfer of farm assets between family mem- bers, it. is not limited to only that segmepr. of fanners; but includes~ anyone vvro currently qualifies un- der the Farm Credit Corporation Act." The Farm Loan Plan will be in- troduced nationwide this fall by the -FCC, which will approve a loan to the buyer of up to 90 percent of the appraised value of the property. The seller will then receive a por- tion of the funds immediately (nor- mally about 40 percent) and the balance owing over a maximum of five years. "This will enable young Canadi- ans to become established in farm- ing and keep them in rural areas," Steckle said, "The plan will allow older farmers to retire and plan for their future with the knowledge that a new generation of families will continue to farm." For further information on the Family Farm Loan, contact Paul Scholten at the Farm Credit Corpo- ration, 50 South St.; Goderich, On- tario I-800-567-6659. Beef carcass competition to be held in Seaforth CLINTON - The Huron County Beef Herd Improvement Associa- tion will be holding their fourth Annual Beef Carcass Competition this »x September- 14 and 2S. _ This two-part program is comprised of a live evaluation night on September 14, followed by a wrap up night in Seaforth at the fair- grounds starting about 7:00 p.m. There are 33 entries in this year's event and each one will be photographed in live and carcass form to show beef producers what lies under the hide. The slide presentation will be part of the wrap up night on September 28. The guest speaker will be Dennis Laycraft, General Manager of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, who will present some of the re- sults of the recent Beef Carcass Cutout Study that was completed last winter. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each of the steer and heifer classes. There will be an exhibit arca featuring the representa- tives that serve the beef industry, along with their products. All beef producers are welcome and there is no admission charge. Starting immediately, White Powershift tractors are not only geared for quality. It's time to get in gear. Because now through September 30, 1994. you can take advantage of our Geared For Savings program with financing as low as 0% for up to 24 months. Or choose from a dozen other finance options to put you in one of our White Powershift tractors ll* fall. This ono -dine -only progrkm hllClludes models 6125, 6145, 6175 and 6195. So stop by soon to check out rr best deal of the year on White Powershift tractors They're also Geared For Savings. WHITE cam �1L Sales & Service Phone (519) 236-4934 Fax (519) 236-7330 22 Main Street, E., Zurich Subject to approved credo flnaoa m, of tcrc I by AricredR AcccNan, c Company, a tuMid,ary of ACCO Corporator. Rate 01 04 ,s evadable foe 24 months (minimum down payment may be required) Additional finance nee, are available at 2 99 for 42 months. 494 for 4S month ands 191. for 60 M OROI Ratti are whew to chane without norke Financing eller available on Kine 6125.6145.6175 and 6195 models only Ofttt good Argue 1, 1994 through Sepetmber 50.1994 ethanol tax exemptions have been granted over there by both sea and federal governments. Fe people are handing out praise for the NDP government these days but the Rae guys, with little fuss and no fanfare, handed out a 15 -year exemption from the 14.7 cents a Titre pro- vincial road tax away back in February. So, why are the Grits dragging their feet? Why is the Chretien government taking its time and dithering about like an old lady in a strange kitchen? Maybe be- cause the feds feel they don't have to take care of farmers any more since only about four per - cert of the population is actively engaged in farming. But what about all the other benefits? Somebody needs to light a match under Uncle Jean and his Cabinet: Thank You We would like to thank all our friends and family for helping to make our first Team Penning competition a great success. Also special thanks to our sponsors Exeter Chrysler, Ken Pal, Centralia, Today's Variety and General Store, Londesborough, Johns Farms, Staffa, Denning Trailers. Strathroy. Jack Bob, Bevin and Dave Kinsman, 4K Stock Farms �Et r f, tiNk F4.R.# 8 Parkhill, Ontario Opevt +lokse Sat. Sept. 17 12 - 4 p.m. At our new location just south of Corbett on Hwy. 81 Entertainment courtesy of Eugene Hartman and Anne Reaburn, recent winners at the CNE Country Singing Competition. Come and join us for lunch! MORE VALUE, LESS HASSLE Some oil products cost less upfront, but you pay more later in repairs and downtime. Ford New Holland oil provides long-term value. Our premium engine oil maintains its viscosity under heavy workloads. It protects against rust, cor- rosion, and carbon deposits, too. a ..r a ti .. 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