HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-04-03, Page 67�1.
Provincial candidates
to farmers' issues, say
Candidates in the provincial election will
listen to the concerns of farmers the presi-
dent of the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture (OFA), Harry Pelissero said in
a recent letter to Ontario's county federa-
tion of agriculture.
"If you look at the results of the last elec-
tion, you will find that the 16 rural seats
were decided by less than 10 percent of the
vote. With many races that close, the can -
dates will have to listen to the concerns of
very voter in the riding. That includes the
farming community," Pelissero said in the
letter, which is part of an election campaign
organized by the OFA. The material sent to
the county federations encourages them to
organize meetings with the candidates in
their ridings and to seek their responses to
specific OFA policies. They have been en-
couraged to add their local concerns.
Pelissero said recording the parties' posi-
tions on particular issues will help "gauge
our potential leaders' knowledge and in-
terest in farming topics... By raising these
issues, we help to educate the voting public
on farming. And we work towards fair and
reasonable provincial agricultural
policies."
The OFA will be asking the three party
leaders for their responses and for a
timetable for the i;tnplementation of
changes in existing provincial policies.
These will be released at the OFA's monthly
board meeting, Apr. 17. The OFA has also
invited the three parties to send represen-
tatives to the board meeting to speak to its
members.
SUMMARY OF THE OFA'S.
PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL
ISSUES PLATFORM
FINANCE
To counter the problem of high interest
, rates the federationrecommends an expan-
sion of the Ontario Farm Adjustment
Wheat
Producers
effect 1985
officers
Directors of the Ontario Wheat Pro-
ducers' Marketing Board have re-elected
Robert Holmes, R.R. 2, St. Pauls, chairmant
' of the local board for a second term of office.
The announcement was made following
the board's Inaugural Meeting held in
Toronto, Apr. 1-2, at which time the com-
plete slate of local board officers were
elected.
Also re-elected were Edgar Walcarius,
R.R. 6, Aylmer, as first vice chairman of the
local board and Glen Miller, R.R. 3,
Parkhill, as second vice chairman of the
local board: Dave Alderman, R.R. 1, In-
wood, was re-elected as fifth member of the
executive committee. Jim McWilliam
Pickering, past chairman of the local board,
remains on the five man executive commit-
tee of the ten man board.
George Dmetriuc, R.R, 1, Wilsonville, is a
new member of the local board replacing
retiring director Bruce Clark, R.R. 3,
Caledonia.
District elections completed in March
resulted in the re-election of nine of the local
board directors which, in addition to the ex-
ecutive committee, include Jack Campbell,
R.R. 2, Renfrew; Fergus Young, R.R. 1, En-
nismore; Glen Courtis, R.R. 3,
Wallaceburg; and Robert Jessop, Windsor.
1984 ONTARIO WHEAT
CROP POSITION REPORT
Following the local -board's -Inaugural
Meeting held Apr. 1-2, local board chairman
Robert Holmes, R.R. 2, St. Pauls, advised
that approximately 98 percent of the 1984
winter wheat crop has been sold.
In summary, the chairman released the
following crop sales to date.
Producer sales to the marketing board to
the end of March total 783;000 tonne. Board
sale for Domestic Human Consumption pur-
poses total 220,000 tonne; Seed Sales total
12,900 tonne; Feed Sales total 25,200 tonne:
Export Sales Complete total 513,000 tonne;
Stocks Unsold total 12,000 tonne.
In addition to the initial payment received
by producers in the amount of $119.42 per
tonne, or $3.25 per bushel, basis grade no. 2,
C.E.W.W., 14.5 percent • moisture, an interim
patent--of--$23 per tonnP, or 85c per
bushel, was made by the local board on Feb.
11, 1985. Following close out of the 1984 crop
as at June 30, 1985, a final payment on the
1984 er p -will 1,,, w,ade by mid SPptFmbPr
Port Albert 4-H
Actioneers
demonstrate
seam samples
BY WENDY MILTENBURG
The Port Albert 4-1-?Actioneers held their
fourth meeting at Tracy Black's, at 7 p.m.
on Mar. 25.
Topics discussed were sewing a seam, fit-
ting, finishing seams and pressing knits.
Everyone in our club did a seam sample
and the meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting will be held on Apr. 1, at 7
p.m. at Stephanie Durnin's.
The Port Albert 4-H Actioneers held their
fifth meeting on Apr. 1 at 7 p.m. at Stephanie
Durnin's.
Roll call was to show and describe the
seazln sample we had made for our garment.
Topics discussed were ribbing trim - how
to sew it on a garment. Members
participated in a ribbing sample.
Next meeting will be held on Apr. 8 at 7
p.m. at Marcia Boak's.
Assistance Program, a provincial program
to assist farmers in financial difficulties.
Allowing more farmers•to use the program,,`
and expanding the program to subsidize
More types of credit at lower rates, would
bolster the farm economy.
The federation also calls for a Capita]
Loans Program to provide funds to improve
environmental standards and productivity.
To introduce newrtes of credit and
financing options, the C. A calls for a study
into the feasibility of establishing a 'Farm
Bank', as well' as continued provincial sup-
port for an agri-bond program to provide
credit at affordable rates.
-ENVIRONMENT
To protect farmland from urban develop-
ment the province should allow landowners
to designate their property as an
agricultural reserve. This zoning should
take precedence over local zoning regula-
tions. Municipalities should also be required
to notify local federations of agriculture to
comment on applications to sever
agricultural properties.
To counter problems of soil erosion, an
Agricultural Conservation Board should be
developed. The board would oversee efforts
to control erosion and take a lead in
research and training the agricultural com-
munity in.soil conservation methods.
To protect farmers from legal action by
neighbors who complain about traditional
farming practices, such as the noise of trac-
tors or the spraying of crops, right -to -farm
-legislation should be introduced to protect
historical farming practices. In return, the
farming community should have to follow
accepted and responsible practices. To en-
sure this, a system should/ be introduced to
will listen
s OFA
investigate farm pollution complaints, with.
the power to assess costs and fine guilty par-
ties.
MARKETING
To assist the grape industry the federation
recommends using revenue from sales tax
on wine to strengthen the industry and
develop ways to counter the threat of sub-
sidized wine imports.
To assist the tobacco industry the govern-
ment should stop its high taxation of tobacco
products and .use at least one percent of ad
valorem tax revenues to develop new pro-
ducts and markets and to develop alter-
native crops. The province should also
assist producers in developing a federal
marketing structure.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The government should provide suitable
facilities for child care in rural areas; sup-
port reforms to correct ,inequalities in the
federal pension system; extend subsidized
wage programs for care -givers to rural
areas; develop affirmative action programs
to end the wage gap between 'men and
women; and set up rural drop-in centres.
LABOR
Make - the Farm Safety Association
responsible for education in the rural com-
munity in any amendments to Workers'
Compensation regulation; develop safety
programs that include all sectors of the
agri-food industry;' standardize training
across the province; and provide a wage
subsidy of 85 percent for employees taking
courses.
EDUCATION
Develor a textbook grant system, along
with other provinces, for the publication of,
agricultural resource material.
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