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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1991-09-18, Page 3plember 1001„ Anithiafly sot world prices are squeezing many Canadian cow lucidity farmers out of the business, says a representative of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Jack Wilkinson, first vice president of the OFA, spoke at it rally last Wednesday (Sept 11) which drew inure than 1,000 people to the Lucblow Community Centre. The overwhelming majority of those attending were farmers from all over the region. In a later interview, Wilkinson explained that both the U.S. and the European Economic CommOLY have subsidies or 'export man - cement funds" set up. These "government kitties" give a protec- tive cushion to farmers who grow crops or raise livestock that is traded, on the free, Market. This includes beet pork, and grain faunas # "But -we don't have that," said Wilkinson. Because the other two agricultural economic mine/Powers have these agricultural protection reoinams4 they are able to engage :in ii trade war -which they are doing - man. attempt to out -sell the other. "Since .1......!!I& the aek.,wilkinse*.virst—vieez.p of • ommtulity Agriculture, was one platform speakersat the Lin inthe Dirt. flTVr market (EEC) have shares" fighting. overntheir meeting held in Lucknow last irednesday. Mr. Wilkinson said, 'It •,said Willdsom "They've been very aggressive, a sad state of affairs when a farmer can Whol. dawn Ida farm especially in the last two years, as operation, go on.. welfare and have Ins standard of living go uP.6' they try to keep current customers moms Irwin photo) • and acquire new ones." The result . is forcing grain prices in particular beef farmer, told. the crowd Wed - into a continuing downward spirat nesday night that for the 1991 tax - "There's no surplus of grain on year, his farm grossed $120,000. the world market," he said. "But After expeusem» and taxe.s, the with things like (Europe's) Export famfiy's „net income front the fans linhaticement Fund, normal matket was less. han- woo. t In the current round of GAIT off than some Scott said. (General Agreement on Tariffs and said that the poor and inefflci�nt Trade) talks, the Canadian fanners. a -re tong g NOTHING subsidies discontinued, in order to “A)ibetion: give alllanners an equal chance orr the • grain pip ouf, the world' 'market and allow priCes t-barikers,Pand seteu, to be dictated by supply and lt'71's 402itin demand. for uslo live On. Many of the speakers at last Wed- • • nesdaY's meeting were either. n. He used wheat as a spec agreement - with the government's example. According to . the Oni official position, or they want whes,r`'Bogd (01,1V13), similar protection programs set up wJ farmer about $161, in this country, said Wilkinson. 1990 to produce *tonna of wheat. Doug Scott, an Ashfield Twp. The wheat is then sold to the OWB, ,This year that same farmer would havereceived about $75 per tonne- ftbm the 'ONIM. The OWB then takes bids for the wheat. "Over the course of a year, the board will sell it said Wilkin- son.. .me. �. OWB averages, out the t Of a tonne of wheat that year (afros out its Marketing costs. turn to page 13 New awning to ..be erected at towlet hall At the September 10 meeting of onnonnualialaraammolonmann.— MidilutOnl/andall Site Agreement Lucknow Village council, a quote Ct1UNC310 NEWS' and accepted the Leachate in the amount of $3,156, from Agreement" ., Bluewater Canvas to install an Village of LadalOW - Discussion ensued on installing awning over the front door of theassosissosissoosommaies. sidewalk, with council deciding to town halt was accepted. Passe(L •inveatigate the matter further. Hayes 'and Huber Tree Service in response to communication In view of the upcoming presented a quote on tree trimming, from Kincardine, the clerk was municipal elections, council will tree removal and stump gr1nding, advised to reply that the village, hold ay ratepayers meeting on Oi- Council agreed *discuss the mater. cannot Participate in fiteir'. waste , robot oi from 8 totio 9:30 p.m. with the PUC foreman. •• Managettleat .ter Plan due 0 its ' Councillor George4ibson will be A bylaw regulating the use of corriMitinent to • the'Mid-Huron Luclirs representative at the transformers on Willoughby Suva • Landfill Site. Wheels Away meeting, scheduled was given three readings and Council approved the revised for 5pm1er 18. . . Queen of the Fair CoMPelltion Fiida Sept Melody Lane Barbershop Quartet. at 8:15 asm complex opens for viewing Friday at 7:00 p.m. Frog Jumping Contest - 8:00 p.m. Junior Farmer Games - Log Sawing; andrug-of44/ar = • - Big "A. MidWay , Tractor Pull Kids can enter a different weight categories up to 50 sigs lbs.,:76-100 lbs. Registration at 7 p.m.Lamb • Producers *Lamb-on-a-biin.* from page 1 used to be the USSR, "how about buying products that Were, grown here and sending them as • the first lino Of relief? "that also provides us with a market, at a time when the economy is low," said *Elston.' Cardiff said a trader war bet- ween the U.S. and the European Economic Community (EEC) is responsible for the downward spiral of grain and oilseed prices. Both the U.S. and the EEC have support programs that cushion their farmers against such price drops, he added. Canada does not have such tkprogramt Tempers began Wog as the frve-hour meeting drew to It. close. One member of the audience warned Cardiff that a "Europe supports their farmers and the U.S. 'supports their farmers. You'd better start sup - Porting yours." ANGRY SHOVES "This government has, sup. poroted fanners ever since it got m," said Cardiff. As the audience broke into a chows of jeers and irate shonts, Cardiff, raising his own voice angrily, demanded "Do, you people not like the billions of dollars the federal government has spent on agriculture thning the last few years?" "Then why are we so hard up?" solvate Shouted'back0 "You'd be. a lot more hard up without that money," Cardiff retorted At �f of the meeting, the • three were offered a chance to make brief statements regarding their commitment to Pantie CatISOi Elston said his rat step would be to tty and get ikcommitrrient. for support payments im- mediately. He also promised to push theprovincial, government into buying , 0401'1010*i) produce to send as relief to the Baltic states and, the former o USSR. • • IflOpp said lie would try tO get as inucif Money as possible to the farm community to it would still be there 'RI the. ‘.1Vt need a systearthat gives a decent price year atter year so you can depend on it, he Cardiff said he. would try tO enlist 'support from other rural • representatives's as to provide a solid 'front for the, fanners' rcuucs Local 4-1:1Beettallyt Horse & Sheep Show, Light Horse Show. Car and TruckShow: Registration starts at 10 a.m, at Township, Shed. Parade to Fairgrounds starts at 11 am. Antique Tractor Show; Regitkation 'at the Fairgrounds 11 a.m. AMMO*, Parade 12 noon featuring the Brussels Pipe Band, Bany Johnston, Bruce,0ounty Warden to officially open the fair. Exhibit$ Complex will beopen for public viewing of exhibits. Saturday 9:30 - 11:30 aim and 1:30 4:30 p.m. Horseshoe Pitching Tournament Registration 1:30 p.mbehind the Tennis Courts, HeavyHorSe Show Beef Show - • Big 'A' Midway invitailenal Show I p.m. Poultry Show: Basement of Township Hall , VarieliShowm, square dancing, musical entertain - Ment - bale rolling Allan Master of Ceremonies Doug the Wug, and Dade Bird. (aka Pichard KnechieL) - Lions Beef -:on - aBan., Lamb PrOduteets Lamb - on - a Bun. Cl