The Rural Voice, 1999-06, Page 62PERTH
Andy DeVries, R.R. #1, Atwood NOG 1B0 Phone/Fax 519-356-2133
PCFA Office 229-6430 Fax 229-6269 e-mail: perth@ofa.on.ca
'The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER in Perth County by the PCFA
Agricultural issues addressed during election campaign
An all -candidates meeting to
debate agricultural and rural issues
for the riding of Perth -Middlesex was
held at the St. Marys Community
Centre on May 26. 1999. This
meeting was a joint effort of the Perth
and Middlesex Federations of
Agriculture.
The Perth County Federation of
Agriculture has also prepared an
Agricultural Platform on the issues
that they feel the next government of
Ontario must address. "The push for
reinvestment is one of several issues
in our Agricultural Election
Platform" says Burnell Kipfer, Chair
of the Federation's Political Action
Committee. "Government
reinvestment in the industry is an
issue of ongoing concern and we
want to make sure it's addressed
during this election," says Kipfer.
Reinvestment in the areas of risk
management programs, research and
technology, food safety,
environment, and market
development are needed to bolster the
agriculture and food industry in
Ontario. "Agriculture is an essential
component of the Ontario economy
and the local economy here in Perth
and Middlesex Counties," says
Kipfer. "When the agricultural
economy is thriving, the spin-off
effects for the rest of the economy are
PLEASE NOTE:
All OFA members in
Perth County receive
The Rural Voice
Magazine
compliments of
Perth County Federation
of Agriculture.
58 THE RURAL VOICE
huge," he added.
Other issues in their platform are
revisions to the Retail Sales Tax and
the way it applies to farmers. Rural
health care and education are also
priorities to the Federation, as rural
Ontario has unique needs in these
areas. Property tax and the effects of
downloading services to local
municipalities also needs to be
addressed according to their platform.
Rounding out the issues the
Federation has identified is the need
for enabling legislation for nutrient
management bylaws and dedicating a
portion of gasoline taxes for the
maintenance of roads in rural areas.
The issues are being raised as a
way of making the voting public
aware of concerns in local
agricultural circles. The Perth
Federation has sent their platform to
each candidate and will address as
many of the issues as possible to
them during the campaign.°
Mark Your Calendars!
Perth County Federation of Agriculture
ANNUAL
MEETING &
BANQUET
Thursday,
October 14, 1999
Baseline water testing available
A baseline water well testing program is available for all rural well
owners who wish to benchmark their water supply. There are five
different testing packages available. This program is under the
leadership of the Can Adapt, Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition and
the Ontario Federation of Agriculture If you are interested in the quality
management of your water, contact Paul Nairn 1-800-511-1135 for more
information.°
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
JUNE DIRECTORS'
MEETING
Thursday, June 24, 1999
8:00 p.m.
Downie Mutual Insurance Office
Sebringvife
EVERYONE WELCOME