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The Citizen, 1996-03-27, Page 15On agriculture Dr. Larry Martin, standing left and Dr. Vincent Amandor-Boadu spoke to a large gathering of agricultualists and policitians at a meeting in Brussels on March 21. The two are employees of the George Morris Centre in Guelph. Women's Shelter and CoUnselling Services of Hurop is seeking to hire a CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE On a maternity leave contract. We require a person to provide support and crisis counselling to child victim/witnesses of woman abuse and to oversee the children's program at the shelter. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE: - completed post secondary diploma/degree in Social Sciences - experience in counselling children, play therapy an asset - ability to perform in a woman-centred organization which bases its services on a feminist analysis of violence against women - relevant knowledge of rural community social services, medical and justice systems - valid drivers licence and use of a vehicle Send resumes by April 12, 1996 Michele Hansen - Executive Director Women's Shelter & Counselling Services of Huron P.O. Box 334 Goderich, Ontario. N7A 4C6 White, Dark, or Milk Chocolate treats available. Sugar Free Selection Also Available Hop up the ane right into TasteBuds! EASTER CANDY HAS ARRIVED! "014111111011110.' COFFEES TEAS CPEESES CHCCOirES • crr 15 BASK ETS Singing Bunnies Back-pack Bunnies V Bunny Boxes filled with Jelly Bellys Gift Baskets &tags filled with Easter sweets 11 Chocolate Baskets filled to the brim with sweets PARTY TRAYS For Your Entertaining tl NEW Chocolate Chickens ti) WV/Chocolate Crosses 11 NOV Chocolate Lambs NO Chocolate Duckies tl NEW Easter Giftware HWY. 4, South of CLINTON directly across from Huronview) 482-1232 SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE "Drop by and visit our retail showroom or call us today" OPEN: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDA Y, rutAnt.ai zi, 1996 Interesting time for agriculture, says researcher By Bonnie Gropp It was a positive message for agriculture heard by approximately 50 persons in attendance at a meet- ing in Brussels hosted by the George Morris Centre, March 21. Dr. Larry Martin, an employee of the centre, which was established in 1990 to provide information and analysis on current and long-term issues that affect the agri-food sec- tor, in speaking on .the technology and growth of agriculture said, "You can't help but be excited liv- ing in this country." Martin and Dr. Vincent Amanor- Boadu discussed agriculture's future and provided information on the centre. Founded by George Morris, a cattle producer in Merlin, Ontario, the centre, located by the University of Guelph, is described as Canada's independent agri-food think tank. Its vision is a dedication to policy, research and education in the industry. The centre's mission is to provoke dialogue on relevant policies and issues and to encour- age innovations that enhance excel- lence in the agriculture and food sector. "This is, in my view, one of the most interesting aspects of the cen- tre. In trying to say what is the future of agriculture in this country, when telling people up front what that is, you have to provoke," said Martin. The centres work includes look- ing at the aspects of GATT and NAFTA and their implications on Grey Twp. council, at its March 18 meeting adopted its 1996 budget with projected expenditures of $1,204,975. This also marks the fifth year in a row that the township has not increased the amount of taxes for local purposes. The major capital expenditure for 1996 involves the reconstruction of the Cranbrook sideroad from Cran- brook to Huron County Road 25. Council accepted the tender of Lloyd Jacklin Construction for the crushing and hauling of 35,500 metric tonnes of "A" gravel to the roads in the north half of the township. The Jacklin tender, at S1.71/tonne amounting to $66,942 was the lowest of six tenders received. A bylaw adopting a policy which will require landowners to pay for all material costs for laneway entrances to municipal road allowances as well as private drain Canada's agri-food sector, as well as the creation of a conceptual piece on the resource-based theory of strategy. "Modern thinking for modern business," said Martin. "It's about distinguishing yourself from your competitors. " Also, in collaboration with Doane Agricultural Services in St. Louis, the centre produces a quar- terly Canadian market outlook for grains, oilseeds and livestock. The researchers at the centre arc 'now prioritizing ideas for the future. "What are the issues we would like to take leadership action on? Look at the way agriculture is evolving and you see it is evolving, though I don't like the term, towards a more industrial type," says Martin. One of his predictions is the dis- appearance of cash markets as known in the past. "There is almost no spot market for hogs in the U.S. now, almost none for cattle." Supply managmcnt as it is known will also disappear. "We will either take spot prices or come up with long-term differentiation." Pricing is another concern in the future of the industry that is being looked at by the staff It the centre. "What do we do to change the pric- ing mechanisms so they work well in industrial agricultural while at the same time give the farmer sovereignty?" asks Martin A large concern is what he say is a fundamental problem wit environmental regulation in Cana crossings was passed. Thi township will continue to replace existing entrances that need to bi replaced during road construction. Chief Building Official Gran Anger presented his 1995 building report to council. Fifty-four permit: with a total value of $2,956,50( were issued in 1995 compared tc 61 permits with a value o $2,256,500 in 1994. The next regular meeting o Council is scheduled for Monday April 1 at 7 p.m. MS FACT #24 Multiple sclerosis usually strikes people aged 20 to 40, in the prime of their lives. Multiple Sclerosis 1-800-268-7582 used to produce chemicals for such things as cancer and AIDS. "It's not a fairy talc any longer, but if you look at the Canadian scene we arc not developing the policies to take advantage of these advances." Canada does not have the patent on animals here that other countries do, Amanor-Boadu said. "If we don't allow this (to happen) we will not have access to those animals. Those policies arc waiting to be pulled together." One person in attendance ques- tioned whether playing with Moth- er Nature might not be a bit risky. "Are we going to get five years down the road and not know what a pig is? Is there any kind of roadmap to go back?" "Are you asking, 'Is there a big moral dilemma?" asked Martin. "Most definitely. It's important that we think of labeling somehow. But humans are intelligent beings. Give them the right info and they'll use it." Amanor-Boadu said that by developing gene banks breeders can always go back. Also, because of preservation through cryogenet- ics the issue is "not as scary as it used to be." "You can't stop it. It's a genie that's out of the lamp," he said, adding that there would be more danger in making it illegal because there would be less control over what's happening. "Make it illegal and a small group will do it in their basement because the technology is there. You would leave a few peo- ple to have the control." Someone in attendance asked if hogs bred as donor animals would have any meat value. "I still believe that we would have a heart and bacon to boot," laughed Amanor- Boadu. "From one perspective (genetic engineering) looks like children playing, but it can have such a pro- found affect on business we can't afford to do nothing." Remarking on the world's grow- ing population, MP Paul Stcckle asked if the centre believed in Canada's ability to meet food demand. "I'm confident we can. I believe in the ingenuity of human beings. We haven't yet scratched the sur- face of our productivity," said Amanor-Boadu. Referring to such things as low- ering tariffs, increasing exports and the country's water supply, Martin expressed his excitement about liv- ing in Canada. "You have to be thrilled to be living in this country at this time." "In our opinion this is the most interesting time to live in Canada. Agriculturally it's really an interest- ing world right now with all kinds. of opportunities." "If we get this right this country's agriculture is going to be the giant that woke up. It's already happen- ing." da. For example, he spoke of the new leaf potato which has a gene that makes it resistant to the potato beetle. This potato has passed con- sumption safety regulations, but the Agriculture Canada efficacy test has held it up. Therefore, Alberta, which supplies potato seed to Idaho, could not meet customer demand for the the new leaf potato because government regulations prohibited the sale. "The simple solution would appear to be to harmonize registra- tion with the U.S. It's the easiest but I'm not sure of it yet," said Martin. Amanor-Boadu spoke of the impact of bio-technology on agri- culture. "Genetic engineering will have a big effect. What policies should agriculture develop to take advantage of this as they come on stream?" he questioned. Acknowledging that the concept seems "a bit like a fairy-tale",.. Amanor-Boadu spoke of bulls to be genetically engineered with a human gene, so that its female off- spring will produce milk with the same components as human breast milk. Commenting on the work being done to grow a "pig with a human heart", Amanor-Boadu said that transplant patients will not have to wait for a human donor. Transgenetic animals are being Grey holds the line on municipal taxes