The Rural Voice, 1983-05, Page 62PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' NEWS
ANNUAL MEETING
of the
Ontario Pork Producers
Twenty-nine directors from the Perth
County Pork Producers Association at-
tended the 42nd annual meeting of the
Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board,
held at the Toronto Hilton Harbour Castle
on March 16th and 17th. There were no
new or startling revelations. The best
news was that 1982 set a new record as
far as average price was concerned being
$83.05 which was a 19% increase of 1981
price of $69.57 per hundred weight and
this injected some much needed cash
into the industry.
The Board chairman D. Farrell in his
address to the meeting was optimistic for
1983, yet showed concern about expan-
sion in the industry. Last year's produc-
tion of 4,203,305 hogs was an all-time
record, an increase of 4.3 per cent in
Ontario. While most other provinces and
states in North America showed a
decrease, Farrell stressed the point of
getting better before we get bigger.
Another concern of the board right now
is the growing public's interest in animal
welfare, pointing to a recent guerilla style
raid on one of Ontario's major packers by
a group of radical animal rights activists,
slashing tires, spray painting slogans
and causing considerable damage, also
regarding a recent incident at the Toronto
Stockyards.
A committee from the board with Dr.
Frank Hurnik has been working to
develop a "Voluntary Code of Practice"
for care and handling of swine; this
report will be made public sometime this
spring.
Forward contracting also received
some attention; the board is proposing a
start-up of this program in the summer of
1983.
The bankruptcy of Windsor packers
this past year and since the meeting, the
announcement that Canada Packers is
closing its plant in Toronto is a growing
concern to the board and all pork
producers in Ontario.
The Elgin County Pork Producers
Association proposed the following re-
solution which read:
Be it resolved that the O.P.P.M.B. look
into the further development of a packing
house in the Southwestern Ontario area.
The industry is in need of another packer
to speed up and up -grade handling
facilities for earlier and more even -kill of
hogs. It was passed.
PG. 60 THE RURAL VOICE, MAY 1983
Another resolution was:
Be it resolved that the O.P.P.M.B. form a
health committee of eight major organi-
zations in the province and return with a
report to the Semi -Annual Meeting -
"How the Health Status of Ontario Hogs
Can be Improved."
The organizations are: O.P.P.M.B.,
Ontario Swine Breeders, Meat Packers
Council, Artificial Insemination Units,
Quality Swine Co-op, O.M.A.F., Agricul-
ture Canada and Ontario Veterinary
Services.
It passed.
And:
Whereas the Canadian pork industry is
export -oriented with more than 24 per
cent of its production going into export
markets, and
Whereas the maintenance and expansion
of export markets is of vital importance
to Ontario pork producers and the future
prosperity of the industry, and
Whereas in foreign markets we are
meeting with very efficient and aggres-
sive competition which will intensify as
the trade war between Europe and the
Americans escalates, Therefore:
Be it resolved that the O.P.P.M.B.
continue to support the establishment of
Canagrex with full powers to buy, sell
and sign contracts, for the purpose of
exporting agricultural products, in the
interests of Canadian farmers.
It passed.
One resolution which mentioned the
word supply management, read:
Whereas it
is conceivable
that the
COMMITTEES 1983
COMMUNICATION & PRESS REPORTER
Provide open line connection for exchange of information and ideas between
Producer Association and Board. Rural Voice, Pork News & Views announce-
ments.
P. Huitema W. Keller T. Van Nes
D. Kerr G. Lupton
H. Feldman
G. Van Loon
PRODUCER SERVICES
Provide assistance for all meetings, speakers, topics, etc., except annual meeting.
Planning and direction for workshops, Swine Symposium, Pork Congress, booths,
displays.
R. Stock D. Knechtel J. Kelly G. Jack
J. Groenestege J. Vogels T. De Block
BARBECUE COMMITTEE
Overall handling of barbecue -- order meat and supplies, control of all related
finances; train and organize handlers -- Dairy & Pork Festival.
G. Matheson D. Peebles A. Zehr L. Bell
T. De Groot I. Roobroeck A. Van Herk M. Musselman
J. Willems W. Hartung T. Van Nes
RESOLUTION & RESEARCH
,Prepare proposals, resolutions for adoption, investigate, inquire, review.
J. Lichti R. Davey
4-H CLUBS
W. Hartung
FARM SAFETY
R. Davey
P. Huitema
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
L. Kroonen
WEANER PIG COMMITTEE
D. Dietrich R. Mitchell
C. Schlegel
P. De Brabandere
AGENDA COMMITTEE
Prepare program of business items for meeting
K. Aitcheson P. Huitema
notice.