The Rural Voice, 2002-11, Page 49PERTH 1!T
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
Jim Van Nes. President
519-393-6712
• The Rural Voice is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA
Why doesn't anybody listen to agriculture?
Any opinions expressed herein may
not necessarily reflect the views of
the Perth County Pork Producers'
Association.
Last month, my son and I attended
the International Plowing Match
outside of Glencoe. We looked at the
plowing, saw some new equipment.
strolled through the antique tractor
display. and visited the Middlesex
County tent. By that time, I was due
to visit the headquarters of the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food. Premier Ernie Eves and
Agriculture Minister. Helen Johns.
had agreed to meet with a number of
commodity representatives and hear
our latest impressions of life on the
farm.
The meeting was pleasant. My
cohorts were in an upbeat mood
because it was strongly anticipated
that the premier was going to make
an announcement of major funding
for the farm sector. One hour later.
they were not disappointed. Mr.
Eves, flanked by Minister Johns
and a number of aides, spoke
with a face full of microphones.
Ontario's farmers are among the
most productive in the world, adding
$32 billion to the Ontario economy
each year and providing jobs
for 650,000 people, he told the
audience. Unfair support policies in
the United States and Europe have
driven down world prices putting
our farmers at risk. In the next
breath, he announced Ontario's share
of "transition assistance" agreed
to by the federal government and
the provincial ministers of
agriculture.
If the announcement of the $72.5
million was news, it lasted for all of
one minute. The barrage of questions
that followed had nothing to do with
agriculture; the reporters all wanted
to know what the premier was going
to do about the West Nile virus which
had been linked to a person's death
the day previous. Was he going to
implement a spraying program for
mosquitoes next year? What are the
health implications of that. if it
happens?
Now. I do not want to he
disrespectful and minimize a person's
death and I guess the reporters had a
right to ask about the virus. but a
significant farm announcement at one
of the largest farm events of the year
deserves a little more airplay. My 18 -
year -old son was as dumbfounded as
me at first and then he said. "You
guys are too quiet. You need to make
some noise and be heard or you will
always be ignored".
You know. he is right. We are the
"silent minority"! We tell very few
people what we do well and when we
open our mouths in public. it is
mostly to complain. What a way to
make a poor impression!
My feeling of how farmers.
especially livestock farmers. are
"taking it on the chin" extends to the
discussions on nutrient management
regulations. Livestock farmers.
starting with the largest ones. will be
taking the lead when the Nutrient
Management Act is implemented in
March, 2003. Gradually every other
nutrient generator or user will be
brought on board. Why livestock
first? It is because it is assumed that
manure is a problem. Who say, .' [he
answer is that it is mostl\
speculation. The baseline studies that
would monitor watershed health and
especially pinpoint pollution sources
either don't exist or they are not
comprehensive enough. Policy
decisions should he based on sound
research. In this ease. the public is
going on the assumption that
livestock is guilty until proven
innocent.
I guess 1 don't fault the
government. Justice O'Conner set the •
bar quite high in part two of the
Walkerton Inquiry report and the
government says it is going to adopt
every one of his recommendations. •
The government is in a tough spot
and 1 commend them t'or taking the
initiative to introduce the legislation.
And if there is any consolation for me
as a livestock farmer it- is that I am
helping to lead the charge.
Long term. 1 want my non -farming
friends to know that this farming
family is alive and well. We care
about feeding them. We care about
our farm. our livestock and making
our little corner of the world a Netter
place.0
—Submitted by Larry .Skinner
PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS'
PORK PRODUCTS
• Smoked Pork Chops • Fresh Pork Chops
• Stuffed Loin Chops • Smoked Sausage
• Smoked Cheddar Sausage
• Bacon Burgers • Teriyaki Pork Steaks
• Vittorio's BBQ Sauce
AVAILABLE FROM:
Steve Hulshof (Kinkora) 348-8167
Martin van Bakel (Dublin) 345-2666
Walter Bosch (Monkton) 356-9000
Ted Keller (Mitchell) 348-9836
NOVEMBER 2002 45