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The Rural Voice, 1993-10, Page 58BRUCE County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9 519-364-3050 The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce County Farmers by the BCFA. Gnawing at the mind of many farmers today, is just how things will shake out as we move through the 90s and where they fit in. With so many issues confronting those who are the lifeblood of our nation — farmers — and so many who try to predict the future and the outcome of things like GATT. NAFTA, and who talk about the rationalization within agriculture, is it any wonder people are confused and nervously pondering the future. One thing is for sure, things will change. But as the old adage says, the more things change the more they stay the same. Too often we try to find a complex answer to a simple question. The question that bureaucrats have tried to answer for years is "Who is a farmer?" We might add the same has been asked by some farmers. The answer is simple — farmers determine themselves. Why do we spend so much energy in trying to arrange people into neat little piles. The fact of the matter is that every - Who is a farmer? one is important. It does not matter how big a farm you run, what you grow or how you grow it, neither is it important if you have income other than the farm, what is important is that you are part of the com- munity. It is time we as farmers learn to celebrate our differences and work together on areas of common interest, and focus on that which is important; the people that contribute to the social, economic and envi- ronmental fabric of the rural community. We have no doubt that farmers big and small will continue in large numbers. What is important is that we determine policies and infrastructure that allow producers to implement their own agenda. Whether they choose to be large operators, small operators, full-time or part-time, compete on an international market, or fill a local market, is a matter of individual choice. Each fulfills a function as part of the whole rural community and each is important. Some would have us believe that agri- cultural production should be satisfied with a small number of farms with high output. The folly of such thinking is that it fails to New strain of rabies Over the past few months there has been much reported on the strain of rabies carried by raccoons that is heading towards Canada. We provide some information and update regarding rabies. There are three strains, the most common in this area being the Arctic Fox rabies. The predominant carrier being foxes, the MNR has for several years used various methods to control, unfortunately these same methods are not as effective with raccoons. One of the main reasons for so much interest is the raccoons' adaptation to urban living. The raccoon has managed to thrive in densely populated areas, and its "friendly" nature make the threat of contact with people, especially children, a particular concern. Contrary to some reports, vaccination will work. Fanners, especially in the areas of Grey and Bruce, are well versed in dealing with rabies. Normal precautions continue to apply, vaccination of pets, teaching children to avoid contact with wild animals displaying unusual behaviour. Contact your local vet should you have questions. In the event of loss due to rabies, livestock farmers are able to claim for indemnification. The program is jointly funded, 60 per cent by the Province, 40 per cent by the Federal Government. The present indemnity schedule, last updated in 1981, stipulates the payment of current market value up to a maximum for each species, eg. cattle, $1,000; horses, $500; swine, sheep and goats, $200. Indemnity is not a form of insurance, but it would be wise to clarify this with your agent when making a claim for rabid animals insured for all perils. The year 1992 saw 331 indemnity claims, of which 248 were for cattle. The handling of rabies is done by Agriculture Canada. In the event of quarantine certain rules are to be followed. Marketing of animals may still take place, but it depends on where they are to be marketed. For information contact Agriculture Canada. Payments are the same as for loss by predators in Ontario. The Minister of Agriculture introduced for first reading June 24, 1992, Bill 78, An Act to Provide Compensation for Damage to Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bees. This Bill would see compensation rates increased to more accurately reflect loss by the farmer. Unfortunately it has not taken prio- rity with the present government. The OFA will continue to press for passage of this Bill. Further information is available at Ministry offices, or call the OFA office at 364-3050.0 54 THE RURAL VOICE recognize communities are people. People that have hopes, dreams, goals and needs, that should not and can not be ignored. It is the collective vision of the people in the community, empowered by the deter- mination of the individual that will stimu- late economic revitalization of rural Ontar- io. Would it not be at our peril to think we can accomplish this in any other manner? In order to stop the unravelling of the social fabric in rural Ontario; in order to create the climate in which we can not only thrive and prosper, but confront the issues that cause unease and confusion, we must look at ourselves as a community. We must respect each other's right to be differ- ent and work together to determine our own destiny. The OFA mandate is to seek to improve the economic and social well being of the farmers of Ontario, through lobbying, advo- cacy and the provision of member services. This mandate excludes no one. In the past community and personal prosperity was very much a result of people helping each other. No one is as strong as we are together. As we move through the nineties, are things really any different?0 Ken Kelly Regional Director, Bruce North Tony Morris Regional Director, Bruce South Bruce County Federation of Agriculture 52nd Annual Meeting and Banquet Friday, November 12, 1993 7:00 p.m. Elmwood Community Centre Guest Speaker: Bob Verdun, Publisher — The Farm Gate For Tickets contact Township Directors or office in Hanger. Bruce County Federation of Agriculture Directors' Meeting Monday, October 25, 1993 8:00 p.m. OMAF Boardroom, Walkerton Members are welcome to attend OFA REGIONAL MEETING Bruce North, South & West Monday, October 4, 1993 8:00 p.m. Dunkeld Hotel R.R. #4, Walkerton Guest Speaker: Brita Ball, CUSO Work Term in Gambia