The Rural Voice, 2003-09, Page 11HILL and HILL FARMS LTD.
and
VARNA GRAIN
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HILL AND HILL FARMS LTD. is a supplier of:
• Seed Wheat - Vienna, Kristy, Stealth, Maxine, Harvard, Carlisle
• Seed Soybean • Seed Corn • Histick
and are grain receivers of corn and soybeans
• Full Custom Harvesting, Planting & Spraying Services
Roundup
Ready.
SOYBEANS
Contact
Kristen or Pete
233-3218
HILL & HILL
FARMS LTD.
Varna, Ontario
Helen Johns,
MPP Huron -Bruce
A Message from Helen Johns, MPP Huron -Bruce
Minister of Agriculture and Food
After months of anticipation, United States Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneinan finally announced a partial re-
opening of the border to Canadian cattle exports.
The USDA will no longer prohibit importing hunter -harvested wild ruminant products (like deer) intended for
personal use, and America will begin to accept applications for import permits for certain other products from
Canada, including:
• Boneless sheep or goat meat from animals under 12 months of age;
• Boneless bovine meat from cattle under 30 months of age;
• Boneless Veal (meat) from calves that were 36 weeks of age or younger at slaughter;
• Fresh or frozen bovine liver;
• Vaccines for veterinary medicine for non -ruminant use; and
• Pet products and feed ingredients that contain processed animal protein and tallow of
non -ruminant sources when produced in facilities with dedicated manufacturing lines.
The American government has also promised to expedite a process that will see live ruminant animals crossing the border.
I understand the continual pressures and challenges faced by rural Ontario and for that reason Premier Ernie Eves, along with myself,
announced incentive programs. The first program is the federal -provincial program that operates until August 17, 2003. The second is a
provincially -funded program in which the province has committed $17.5 million. Those funds will be directed towards handling cattle that
are ready for market but not able to be slaughtered due to capacity constraints. Producers who owned cattle on feed on May 20 can identify
up to 45 cattle, or 5% of their herd, and receive a payment consistent with the average payment paid by the Canada -Ontario BSE Recovery
program in the first two weeks of August. These cattle cannot be sent for slaughter for eight weeks and would not be eligible for further
compensation when eventually sold. Qualifying cattle can be sold but their location must be known at all times.
Opening the border to live cattle and other ruminants and the remaining banned ruminant cuts remains a top priority for this government.
Together with leading Ontario agricultural representatives, 1 lead a trade mission along with agricultural leaders to educate and explain the
scientific basis for our belief the border should be opened. Premier Eves has urged greater leadership from the federal government in this
incredibly serious matter. 1 have called upon the federal minister to lead a trade mission to Washington so that the federal and provincial
ministers and farm leaders will have an opportunity to influence live cattle discussions. 1 believe it is important for us to all work together.
and would like to thank beef consumers for being so supportive of the industry and farm families in this very difficult time.
For further information on agriculture initiatives, please refer to www.gov.on.ca/OMAF (416) 326-3074 or write to Minister of Agriculture
and Food, 77 Grenville St., I Ith Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1B3 or email me at helen.johns@omaf.gov.on.ca
SEPTEMBER 2003 7