The Huron Expositor, 1998-03-18, Page 47Food producers watched
with a critical eye
• from page 3O
by reports regarding "mad
cow disease," he contin-
ued.
Because protein,
derived from cattle
sources, had been fed to
cows in their regular
ration, or, he said, as
phrased by .detractors of
the cattle industry: "rumi-
nants being ted to rumi-
AgI'1
info on
the 'Net
AgriCarta--agri-info on
the Internet
Timely information is
vital to decision-making in
the competitive world of
today's farm marketing.
production and manage-
ment. AgriCarta, a new
free -of -charge online ser-
vice, delivers agricultural
.information to
Saskatchewan's producers
and rural businesses deter-
mined to gain their fair
share of world and domes-
tic markets.
Those without Internet
access on home computers
can use computers at local
libraries and
Saskatchewan kural
Service Centres to access
AgriCarta.
Over three years..the
computer service will
grow through the partici-
pation of up to 150 farm
and producer groups from
across the Prairies. The
Canada -Saskatchewan
Agri -Food Innovation
Fund (AFIF) has provided
a $640,000 grant to
AglnfoNet. a not-for-prof-
it organization. to develop
and build AgriCarta. AFIF
is . funded by the
Governments of Canada
(two-thirds) . and
Saskatchewan (one-third
AgriCarta is located at
www.aginfonet.com/agri-
carta/splash.html
(From Agriculture and
Agri -Food Canada).
Hants," people perceive the
process as not being natur-
al. In Europe and the
United Kingdom, the
ruminant -to -ruminant
issue has cost producers
$10 billion. People
become uneasy when they
hear reports about irradia-
tion and gene manipula-
tion, they perceive it as
unnatural.
Similarly, said Powell,
the issue of "antibiotic
resistance" in animals is
perceived as an unnatural
process by the public.
Powell said "urbanites"
are aware of the dangers
attached to antibiotic resis-
tance but, generally, they
trust their physicians to
administer the product cor-
rectly
However, he said when
urbanites hear about farm-
ers feeding antibiotics to
animals they ask: "Why''
Are the animals sick or
something."
In the past. other indus-
tries faced with similar
questions from enquiring
people have said its had
science that says the prac-
tice is harmful.
Underscoring how the
public's perceptions have
changed. Dr. Powell said.
"That response doesn't cut
it in the public arena."
Nevertheless, he said
consumers do not expect a
risk free world.
"Consumers can handle
levels of risk.-
They want to know that
whoever is in charge is
doing everything possible
to reduce the risk to con-
sumers.
How would your indus-
try respond to a death
attributed to antibiotic
resistance? he asked.
He told the pork pro-
ducers they had to he lis-.
tening to the public's con-
cerns about the antibiotic
resistance issue.
He said there is often a
void between the public's
perception of an issue and
the scientific explanation.
Producers should have an
on-farm hazard analysis
critical control point pro-
gram in action. demon-
strating to consumers an
awareness of their con-
cerns and demonstrating
practices which reduce the
safety risk to food.
LIMITED TIME
OFFER!
Regular Price of cleaning
2 rooms or more
at the same time.
Bring New Life to Your Carpets & Upholstery
OFF
Dry Foam Cleaning - NO MESS,
NO FUSS and use the same day!
Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Brian & Beverley
Walden
CHEM -BRIGHT
CLEANING SERVICES
FREE ESTIMATES NO OBLIGATION
Bonded & Insured
523-9210
or
1-800-434-6153
Fann Progress '98 - Page 31
CUSTOM BUILT EQUIPMENT
"Make A Clean Sweep"
TAG -ALONG SWEEPER
* 18" x 42" brushes
* Engine drive - 41/2 H.P. Honda
• for small lawn tractors or ATV's
* Fixed Angle
TAG -ALONG SWEEPER
* 18" x 42" brushes
* Engine drive - 41 H.P. Honda
• for small lawn tractors or ATV's
• Collecting bin attached
Custom made
buckets, plus.
quality built
attachments to
fit our Quick -
attach unit or
any other
loader. Quick
hookup and'
release, no
need to get off
the tractor.
3 P.H. SWEEPER
"18"x5' or6'&24"x6'
• PTO drive
• Adj. caster wheels
• Fixed Angle
• 3 P.H. rear mount or can be front
mounted with kit.
QUICK -ATTACH
UNIT
MATERIAL BUCKET PRONG BUCKET
FORK LIFT
BALE UNROLLER
BALE PRONG
SMYTN
Welding and Machine Shop
RR#2 Auburn 519-529-7212 Fax 519 529-3277