The Rural Voice, 1999-11, Page 18STEEL
PP\O�\ SA
��Fs
• Beams • Pipe • Angle Iron • Channel
• Sheet • Flat • Tubing • TV Towers
Owen Sound Barrie
1399 2nd Ave. East
Phone (519) 371-8111
Fax(519) 371-6011
771 Bayview
Phone (705) 728-0660
Fax (705) 728-6562
1-800-567-7412
MultiCoupler
the ideal choice
The easy way to connect
milk, vacuum and power
iillb1/41°
Alfa Laval Agri
for coupling milking
units to the main line
• Ergonomically designed
• Single hand operation
• Both pneumatic and
electrical connections
• Easy to service
SUPPLY LTD.
Neustadt, Ont.
519-799-5366
WE ARE A STEEL SERVICE CENTRE
14 THE RURAL VOICE
Unfortunately, the problem is that
ultimately not all small plants operate
safely, nor do all large plants. "The
intent of this makes sense," said Dr.
Baker. "We don't want
contamination."
Rochelleau, however, thinks that
the regulations aren't the only issue
behind some of the closures. "I think
business decisions are being made. If
you look at the whole picture I
believe the number that closed for
this reason is very little."
Dr. Baker said, "A number are
having to make.decisions because of
the changing industry. Though," he
adds, "this obviously complicates
things even more."
One man, sitting on the fringe
of the industry, disagrees,
believing government
regulation is the only bad guy. David
Hedley, who operates a trout farm
near Belgrave, said he fears for small
business. "These changes have been
happening slowly but surely over the
past several years. Every year there
has been a whole new set of
problems for abattoir operators, and
they all seem geared to having one
big place for the inspector to visit.
It's like our municipal restructuring;
get everything pushed together into
something bigger. All these changes
wear down the small operators," said
Hedley.
He expressed these concerns to the
province and to the Ontario
Aquaculture Association in a letter,
which included his view that small
family owned meat processing
operations were being forced out of
business by new regulations. "The
province says that it's not the
regulations forcing these people out
of business, but anytime I go to talk
to any of them, it's the reason they
give for closing."
And what does their closure mean
to the agricultural community?
Beretta, who could see no way to
keep his butcher shop open after
deciding to close the abattoir has left
a hole on an already struggling
village main street. He also has fears
that with more and more abattoirs
closing farmers will find it difficult
to find a kill facility, resulting in a
black market. "Where will the
fanners take their animals with local
butchers going out of business'?"
Green, though thinking it unlikely