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The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 94PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' ASSOC. Highlights from Perth Pork Producers The directors of the Perth County Pork Producers' Association met on October 3 at the OMAF boardroom in Stratford. The following items were discussed. Semi -Annual Meeting: The discussion centered on the pros and cons of supply management and stabilization. Many wish that talk about supply management would go away, but proponents seem to be grow- ing more numerous and outspoken. The optimism last spring that things would get better has almost disappeared. Prices have not improved significantly, and as an additional blow, forced sales have depressed property values at an alarming rate. Established producers with their mind on retirement are becoming very concerned about the decline of their net worth. It appears that the directors are divided on the issue. A number of them are still reluctant to opt for supply management, but most directors seem to agree that some controls should be put on further production increases. It was brought to the attention of the meeting that only the sale of a considerable number of weaner pigs to the U.S. saved us from having weekly production runs of more than 100,000 market hogs. It was also pointed out that at the present time Canada is pro- tected from imports of live hogs from the U.S. by disease -control regulations. If these controls became unnecessary, a flood of U.S. live hogs could hit the Cana- dian market. At the time of writing, very few details on proposed stabilization pro- grams were known, and meaningful discussion can only take place when more information about the subject is available. Plowing Match '85 Review: As usual, Perth County Pork Producers took the barbecue to the Plowing Match. The directors took turns cooking pork chops and serving the public. Lorne Bell, chief of operations, reported that sales were slow on weekdays. The weather was hot and the beer tent next door was too much com- petition. On Saturday, however, when the general public was present, business was much improved, and since the purpose of the operation is the promotion of pork as a fast-food item, the venture can be con- sidered a success. The committee will ex- plore the feasibility of using a gas-fired barbecue for more flexibility of service and more uniformity of product. Spills Bill: Concern was voiced on the "unlimited liability" clause in the new spills bill proposed by the provincial government. It was decided to support the OFA in the proposal for amendments to the bill. 76 THE RURAL. VOICE Report of Board Member: Willie Keller reported that a committee of board members toured several Quebec packing plants. They were impressed by the effi- cient operation and felt that Ontario plants were no match for these modern facilities. Willie urged producers to lobby for any new stabilization program to be made retroactive to January 1, 1985. He also informed the directors that the Cana- dian Pork Council proposes a nation-wide study of the pork industry. The Ontario members of the Pork Council voted against the study mainly because of fun- ding problems at the Pork Council. The following considerations were given for initiating the study: Through the first hall of the current decade, Canadian pork producers have experienced disappointing market returns the majority of the time and are very con- cerned over future domestic demand for their product as well as access to foreign markets. Prices paid for live hogs from 1980 to 1984 averaged around $72 per hun- dredweight dressed. This was slightly more than 10 per cent greater than the $65 average experienced over the latter half of the 1970s. The prices of goods and services as measured through gross na- tional expenditure meanwhile climbed by 55 per cent. Productivity gains, while con- siderable, have not been sufficient to make up for this enormous deterioration e, or of economic returns to Canada's pork pro- ducers. Prices for hogs are presently languishing below their level of ten years ago. The Canadian Pork Council has decided that an examination should take place that would include a review of the developments leading to the current posi- tion of the Canadian pork sector and an exploration of alternatives for obtaining fair returns for producers to permit an in- formed and balanced consideration of any modifications that would be appropriate for the system through which hogs are produced and marketed in Canada. Further News: The Honourable Jack Rid- dell, Minister of Agriculture. was the guest speaker at the Pork Congress annual meeting. He reiterated his promise to in- itiate a bipartite stabilization program should the federal government fail to im- plement tripartite. He said that although a national stabilization program would be in the best interest of Ontario producers, he is concerned that continued top -loading by other provinces could destroy the basic intent of the program. Presently, U.S. countervail penalizes Ontario producers for subsidies that they do not receive. Mr. Riddell also restated his position that any stabilization program should be made retroactive to January 1, 1985. Hans Feldman Plans for the 1986 Annual Meeting Friday, January 24 was set as the tentative date for the annual meeting. 1986 will be an election year for the north area, including Perth, for three-year terms for councilmen (county directors) and for the provincial board members. Any producers that may be interested in serving as directors could give this matter some consideration. Perth County presently has 29 directors and three alternates. Not all directors attend meetings, and there may be room for new members.