The Rural Voice, 1999-03, Page 7Feedback
disregard all local small butchers who
also struggled to meet orders on time.
We have a near -monopoly when only
two giant packers remain to process
about 90 per cent of the 40,000 hogs
daily. Only by uniting can producers
regain control of the marketing of
their live pork. Confusing
productivity with profitability is
simplistic. Better marketing by us to
meet even stiffer global competition
is the need.
Quebec's pork industry could
teach us much from its co-operative
successes. There, a floating floor
price system (two -third government
and one-third producer fee) still
offers shippers $130 and more for
hogs. The model of sharing a
common vision established between
producers, packers, marketers,
researchers, government, ensures
hooks for full slaughter capacity
coupled with expanding output. Take
note Ontario! If only our rugged
individualists could again be team -
players we could endorse the concept
of one selling agency for all Ontario
hogs and that agent would be
empowered to be the only deal maker
for all hogs — what an advantage of
clout in a market where only two big
packers already control a near
monopoly as sole buyers. If we
organized producers in unison "This
little piggy would go to market and
all other little piggies wouldn't have
to stay home, either."
As World Trade talks resume
soon, it is imperative our MPs
recognize their duty to strengthen
resolve for our Canadian Marketing
Boards (especially remembering
Article XI). Ask your MP what better
alternative they're prepared to
defend? Our young farmers cannot
weather such internation41 market
madness for a generation.
Two individuals who view a
similar circumstance often see totally
different details and form quite
different analysis. It is apparent that
by looking back we can discern clues
for our future. I recall with total
respect, two exemplary farm
spokesmen — Honourable Bill
y
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