HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-3-13, Page 3Page'3 sONN{5?wS-fMEcom ■fEPJ,1ESak+F9 *`Y'rtai 13, 1385
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Concerns from Huron County agricultural groups and committees were exp
MP Murray Cardiff, MPP Murray Elston and MPP Jack Riddell during the Huron
Federation of Ag;i ieoliure Members' of Parliament Dinner. Also present to answer ques-
tions and listen to concerns on March 9 at Wesley -Willis United Church was Huron Coun-
ty
Warden Paul Steckle. (Anne Narejko photo)
Farmers voice concerns ®
a from page 1
order for it to survive, it is believed a long
term financing program at reasonable
interest rates is needed.
"Gross income is generally 2-1, meaning a
farmer invests $500,000 and with that
investment, can maybe generate $250,000.
In sales in business this is completely
different. The gross income is many times
more than the total business investment,
therefore high interest rates of the past five
years have hurt farmers more than any
group. A Tong term low interest financing
program would certainly help this
situation," said Mr. Eedy.
Another point brought forward by the
Pork Producers concerns grading fees.
They feel that the government adding to
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been invited to attend a meeting with the
Canadian Egg Marketing Agency this
month, showing that they are interested in
learning about Canada's egg plan.
Mr. Scott commented, "It would be ironic
if we dropped supply management or made
radical changes to it and the USA turned
around and put a supply management
system in place for eggs and then dumped
their surplus eggs into Canada.
"In these times of trimming the.spending
of tax dollars, obviously supply is a better
program than any. kind of stabilization
program that depends on tax dollars and
unrestricted production."
1 Finance Committee
The Huron Federation Finance
averages and incomes.
"Our research found that 10 percent of all
farmers are over 65 and about half of all
farmers are over 50...Our concern is with
the younger group who will be expected to
refinance the older group as old age take its
toll. As time passes these low equity young
farmers will be a larger percentage and as
the older high equity farmers retire, the
average equity of farmers will decline,"
reported Stephen Thompson, Chairman of
the Finance Committee.
The White Paper indicates that farmers'
.incomes are comparable to other
occupations. However, the committee's
belief that the older farmer makes more and
the younger farmers make less farm income
because of their debt load and principal
payments. •
Research has shown that off farm income
made up approximately 30 percent of net
farm income in 1976. -
"What we want to illustrate is that if off
farm income were subtracted, farrn income
by itself would not • appear to provide
farmers `wage parity' with non farmers,
especially for young farmers," stated Mr.
Thompson.
Absentee Foreign Ownership
"Ten percent of Morris Township land can
be classified as absentee foreign
Clinton ®NIP approval
from page 1
share of the municipal funds needed to com-
plete the work. Club president Jack Arm-
strong is certain that the money will be rais-
ed. He noted, "We'll just have to decide to
set some money aside."
He said that Optimist fund raising efforts
usually see money put right back into com-
munity sports, but now money would be
designated for the ball park.
"In the long run it will benefit the youth,"
he said.
The ONIP projecttotals for the three
years run in at $359,600, which includes a
$15,000 administration fee. Mr...Anderson ex-
plained, "In each case total funding comes
out just a little over $350,000."
He said that project costs were estimated
high as a safeguard and if costs were deter-
. mined to be exceeding the allowances, some
would be cut. . -
Already the ONIP project list has en-
countered trimming, much to the surprise of
the Clinton Lawn Bowling Club who had an-
ticipated funds to build a new clubhouse.
The lawn bowling club first proposed a new
clubhouse some four years ago. They work-
ed with council to obtain an ONIP grant and
fully expected to receive some funding.
Representatives who attended the March 6
meeting were surprised to see no mention of
- their project in the ONIP proposals:
Mayor Chester Archibald explained that
the ONIP committee did "a lot of soul sear-
ching" before making their final recom-
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menaatlons. He said that to finance the lawn
bowling clubhouse would have required a
$15,000 municipal contribution. This money,
he said, would have to be financed by the
town in 1985, 'since council is not allowed to
take on a debt for a new council (to be
elected in November).
He noted that Clinton is applying for
another ONIP grant and suggested that the
lawn bowling request would be considered
in the future. -
Milford Durst, representative from the
lawn bowling club asked the mayor who
determined the priorities for ONIP funding.
Mayor Archibald replied, "We had more
suggested projects than we had money. We.
chose projects that would most likely go
ahead (receive government approval) and
would be the most benefit to the most peo-
ple."
Mr. Anderson also noted, "There were
twice as many projects suggested as money
available to accommodate them. The com-
mittee narrowed them down to three op-
tions."
Other proposals that had been suggested
to council, but did not appear in the final
plan, included improvements to the Clinton
Raceway . and a children's creative
playground.
Lawn bowling representatives say they
have no alternative plans for funding. In
fact, they say they're still waiting for an of-
ficial -reply from council regarding their
ONIP application, and an explanation to
give the rest of the club members.
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camas graded.
"We are selling pork for too low a price as
it is and further fees will only make our
situation worse." •
During his presentation, Mr. Eedy stated.
that in 1975 the average price for pork was
$66.98 for 106 pounds and in 1985, they. are
getting $72. He feels that with the inflation
rate, they should - be receiving $1.20 per
pound to stay at the same level of return for
1975.
Milk Committee
Jim Hunter of the Huron County Milk
Committee presented four, concerns;
interest rates, false dairy products, milk
plants finding themselves- with little milk in
the fall and a price increase in Number 1
quota milk.
Concerning fall milk shortages, Mr.
Hunter explained that the Ontario Milt¢
Marketing Board will try and have more
milk produced at that time, however, he
feels that this will be difficult as cow's milk
production lessens in fall and the costs of
extra are greater. •
Increasing quota prices also concerns
Mr. Hunter. .Price increases for the dairy
farmer often effects the price of milk for the
consumer and Mr. Hunter asked, "Will the
people be able to buy the milk?"
He further added, "We have a business to
nm and most of our dairy farmers have a.
large debt to service and wages to be paid
along with so many other things."
Mr. Hunter emphasized that the long term
objective of the dairy industry is to "ensure
the maintenance of the ,commitment of
governments to the essentials of Canada's
national dairy policy."
Egg Producers
Free trade and the difference between the.
present government's attitude towards
supply management agencies and the
former government's attitude is the main
concern for the Huron County. Egg
Producers. - •
William Scott, Huron director on the
Ontario Egg Producers' Marketing Board
said, "The Canadian Egg Marketing Agency
is probably one of the few commodity
organizations that is not violently
complaining about . the imposition of •
inspection user fees .by Agriculture
Canada."
The United States has had low egg prices
for the past two or three years. The
executive of the United Egg Producers has
ownership," said Bert Sanders of Morris
Township. He said that this causes problems
for the municipality because the tax base is
reduced, and since buildings are being torn
down, the population is declining.
"First and foremost, absentee foreign
ownership threatens the family farm. We
cannot compete with owners who are willing
to take a five percent return on their®
investment when we are paying 12 - 15
percent or moree for mortgage money,"
stated Mr. Sanders.
The response people like Mr. Sanders
have been getting is that governments don't
want to discourage foreign investment.
They are also told that absentee foreign
ownership is causing no problems, but Mr.
a�aesar...:�!+l:"` ,:i�lg� 2cv�.4s���•Fd'��r'��«�r;�.� -'
"We need legislation to ensure that our
land continues to be ours - the people who
produce the food," he concluded.
Soil Conservation Programs
"The Huron Soil and Crop Association is
ahead of the •government and should be
financially assisted," commented Mr.
Riddell after Gary Baker of the Land Use
Committee made his presentation.
Mr. Baker's maize concern was for the
farmers to be provided with the proper tools
if they are expected to practice conservation
tillage. He also expressed concerns on the
engineering requirement for grants under
the Ontario Soil Conservation and
Environmental Protection Assistance
Program. He believes that an engineer
should be retained for complex structures
only.
Future Solutions
Agriculture concerns covered a wide
range of topics at the in-depth session
between government representatives and
local farmers...
Federation President Garniss noted, `I
hope today" can be one of the first steps in
Which , the various farm groups and
government representatives - can work -
together to integrate these solutions and to
set agriculture on 'a course to stability and
prosperity for the future,"
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Kincardine
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