The Rural Voice, 1992-05, Page 58BRUCE
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County Farmers by the BCFA.
TIME TO HANG TOGETHER OR WE'LL HANG SEPARATELY
Not a member of a General Farm
Organization? Why should you?
You've made it on your own, right?
GFOs don't do anything FOR YOU.
You can't do anything, Government
does what they want. These along with
every excuse not to join has been heard
by those Federation directors who spend
much of their time voluntarily seeking
members to the OFA. This IS NOT an
article on membership, nor criticism of
those farmers who are not supporting
their industry. Just thought it would be
an interesting beginning.
For those who don't like organiza-
tions, or the OFA, better quit reading,
because I'm going to tell you some of
the things that are going on, that could
affect FARMERS, and what we are
doing about them. Wait, you had better
read this, as your farm and your income
could be affected.
"Canadian agricultural commodity
producers, many of whom are very
inefficient by any standards at a cost
to Canadian consumers, which has
been estimated to be In excess of 5
billion dollars annually."
Got your attention? It had better.
These words were said by George
Fleischmann, President and CEO,
Grocery Products Manufacturers of
Canada, at a meeting March 25, 1992,
Toronto.
Mr. Fleischmann went into a vicious
diatribe against marketing boards, and
even against farmers in general. He
accused farmers, particularly those in
dairy and poultry for many of Canada's
economic problems. He used incorrect
figures and showed an obvious total lack
of knowledge as to how we in Canada
both farm and market our products.
Doreen Guthrie, Consumers Associa-
tion of Canada, was quoted in the Finan-
cial Post, January 30 1992, as follows:
"Canadian consumers will continue to
pay THREE times more for butter and
cheese than consumers in the U.S. and
Europe."
Beef producers, oh dear, oh dear.
Destroyers of the environment, polluters
of the atmosphere, engineers of world
starvation. Wow, are you guys bad or
what? Now, you and I know that is rub-
bish, but there are those in society who
would have us want to believe it's true.
A recent announcement by an environ-
mental group out of the States is pushing
for a reduction in world beef consump-
54 THE RURAL VOICE
tion by 50 per cent because they believe
the above to be true. Yes we have a task
before us, and have to work together to
educate and provide the REAL facts. No
easy task, but achievable if we are all
involved.
"You killed that potato beetle, and
how dare you kill off those cute little
corn rootworm. I'm going to sue you for
destroying Government property."
"Today, our Ministry has declared
Holstein cows to be an undesirable
species."
Flippant, not possible? I hope so.
Why would I write such statements, you
ask. Well, the Ministry of Natural Re-
sources is working on two parallel pieces
of legislation, one is an amended Game
and Fish Act, Bill 162, the other is a
Wildlife strategy.
There are many problems we in the
OFA have with this Act specifically as it
relates to agriculture. Now it is not that
we do not want to protect our wildlife,
but we can not allow legislation that will
infringe on our rights to farm. Very
clearly Bill 162 could do so, and places
sweeping powers in the hands of the
MNR Minister. It will be in the Mini-
ster's power to determine any animal to
be an undesirable species if, in his/her
opinion it may cause harm to indigenous
wildlife. Doesn't affect you, eh. Well,
if you farm with any livestock, you had
better know what this bill says.
From fencing to definition of farmer,
protecting your sheep against coyotes,
rounding up your cattle when they get
out,it's all in this bill, and yes, under
MNR, not OMAF.
To all those fanners with alternative
livestock, I don't have to tell you the
effect of Bill 162, especially those with
white -tail deer. Let me assure you the
OFA is defending the rights of all
farmers to diversify and farm any
species if it is viable, both economically
and socially. Regulations may be
required, but with co-operation and
working together with different groups
and the various Ministries, we can all
benefit. Our beef (excuse the pun) is
with Government when they try to
impose legislation without due
consultation with those affected.
Two areas of concern to this part of
the country are the meat inspection
regulations and grading of lumber. The
OFA through the Properties Committee
is working diligently with the
Government to establish regulations we
can live with.
Certainly we can agree with many
who say we should just continue to be
exempted, unfortunately, that is not the
way society wants things, or should I say
Government. We, as responsible farm-
ers, are obviously concerned with any-
thing that can and does affect our
markets and ultimately our incomes.
The Auditor General's report on meat
inspection was one such thing. The da-
mage to the meat industry is incalculable
if people become sick from eating bad
produce, so it is in our best interest to try
and ensure we place on the market the
very best product. We have a proven
record of doing just that, and must
continue to do so. The OFA has met
with the Director of the Meat Inspection
Branch, who recognizes our concerns of
over -regulation and the cost of imple-
mentation and complying. His branch
has agreed to work with us and
Federations such as Bruce County.
I would encourage you to read papers
such as the Farm and Country, who have
in depth articles on areas of concern.
This month's feature article on Bill 162
is one all farmers should read.0
Tony Morris
OFA Director
OTTAWA RALLY
FEBRUARY 21, 1992
The Grey and Bruce Federations of
Agriculture would like to thank the
following businesses and individuals
who donated in support of the Canadian
family farm and helped defray the
expenses of over 500 farmers from Grey
and Bruce Counties who went to the
Ottawa Rally on February 21.
Slumskie Brothers, Dobbinton;
Donkar Holsteins, Donald and Karen
Ritchie, Lucknow; Chesley Veterinarian
Clinic, Chesley; Landmark Builders
Ltd., Hanover.0
BCFA
Directors' Meeting
Monday, May 25
OMAF Boardroom, Walkerton
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to attend