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The Huron Expositor, 1998-05-20, Page 1212 -TRE MORON 'EXPOSITOR, MAY 110, 111011 Delay in growth hormone urged BY ELLEN DOUGLAS Lakeshore Advance Staff A motion passed by Senate May 5 urges the federal government to defer licensing for at least a year on a genetically engineered growth hormone injected into cows to make them produce more milk. The motion was put forward by Senator Eugene Whelan. The hormone in question is called Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (RBST). Whelan was concerned about the potential tong -term adverse effects of RBST on human and animal health. He announced the motion Dec. 17, 1997. The talk of introducing BST is not new. It has been going on for several years, but it is still controversial. BST is already used by the majority of dairy producers in the United States. But it seems that BST periodically becomes a hot topic in the Canadian dairy industry. Jim Ginn, chairman of the Huron Dairy Producing Committee, said in general the Canadian dairy industry is opposed to the use of growth hormones on cows. While this opinion is not unanimous, it is the general consensus. • "There is no shortage of milk in Canada. so there's no reason to use it," he said. Andrew McBride, the chairman of the Huron County Milk Recording Committee, said he agrees. He said most people in the dairy industry don't want BST introduced at any cost. "We already produce the right amount of milk in Canada." he said. "There's too much milk in the world; why should we use hormones to produce more than we need? It's not natural." He said he believes Canada is unique because it can market its milk as a natural product. "Canada should show some leadership on this matter," he said. "The genetics of Canadian dairy cattle are supposed to be the best in the world." In other words, why mess with success? "We want to continue emphasizing quality dairy products in Ontario," said Gill. "There is an element of the population that wouldn't want to drink milk enhanced with BST." Because of this, 'the two men said there would probably be economic implications if BST was introduced into Canada. "The first thing that would happen is that cows' milk consumption would drop dramatically," said McBride. The negative effects wouldn't be limited to the dairy industry, he said. It would also affect areas such as tractor sales until the economic effects filtered down through the entire community. He added that while some people might eventually go back to drinking milk, it is easier to keep a customer than to win one back. Gill said that the industry would also be financially hurt because transportation costs will go up: Milk with BST and milk without BST will have to be kept separate, so this means more trucks will have to be used. He said that this has already happened in the United States, and that to his knowledge BST use is decreasing there because of the economic implications. But since the United States does still use the hormone, both men are concerned that Canadian dairy farmers will have it forced on them. "The price of milk is higher here that in the States," said Gill. "If everyone else in the industry decides to use something, you are almost forced to do the same" McBride said he hopes that the drug will not be introduced, but he added that Monsanto, a multinational company supplying BST, has a lot of political clout. "People in agriculture make up only three per cent of the population, and the world wants cheap food," he said. Since BST. increases milk production by 15 per cent, its use does bring the cost of milk down. Of course, this also means that cows injected with BST have to be fed up to 15 per cent more. The trouble with that, he said, is that it causes the cow to be under more physical stress. BST may be naturally occurring in cows, he said, but not in such high concentrations. "These cows get injected every week," he said. Another problem with BST, said McBride, is that it distorts the production record of cows. Normally you can tell which bulls are best for breeding by looking at the amount of milk their daughters produce. , However, if one of those daughters has been injected with BST it could throw the calculations completely out of whack. Fortunately, said McBride, Health Canada's drug regulations are really strict right now. On the other hand, once a drug has been approved in the United States, it is often eventually approved in Canada. Rachel Jansen was Township home. enjoying the summer sun last week atter school at her Tuckersmith HILGENDORFF PHOTO Call Mike or Pete for details 519-233-3218 Don't let your prom corsage become a funeral wreath. Don't drink and drive or ride with anyone who does!!! Have a great summer xs Mothers Against Drunk Driving Drive - - Save Uvsst HURON/BRUCE CHAPTER WINGHAM, ON NOG 2W0 Tel. (519) 357-4552 4 Door, Window or Security Problem? use DIVERSE DOOR MS BUS (519) 670-4763 (519)858-7913 FAX (519) 457-0810 •Residential, Commercial. Industrial •Sales. Service, Instaflaton •Rates that cannot be beat •All work fully guaranteed •iY 1 Rated warranties in industry •Small Renovations and Remodeling •Fulty Insured "Your one-stop shop for doors (ell types) windows and socutity products" VANASTRA RECREATION CENTRE SummerActive EVENTS Junior Lifeguard Open House Friday, May 22"•, 4:00-5:00 pm For kids who love the water and want more than lessons. Join in the fun. Get Wet Day All Day Wednesday, May 27", 7:30. 8:30 am Early Bird Swim 11:00. 12:00 pm Parents 8 Kids Swim 12:00 - 1:00 pm Adults Only Swim 6:30 -.7:30 pm Family Swim 8:30 - 9:30 pm Teen/Adult Swim Masters Swim Club Open House Thursday, May 28'", 7:00 - 8:30 am Adult swim club to improve skills and endurance. Body Fit Open House Monday, June 1•', 6:00-7:00 pm Low to High Impact Aerobics with Theresa. Shallow Aqua Aerobics Open House Wednesday, June 3••, 9:00-10:00 am • Fun Fitness Moves in Shallow Water. Arthritic Water Exercise Open House Monday, June 8n', 11:30 - 12:00 pm No strain or stress on joints and muscles with this gentle water excercise. Get Wet Day Saturday, June 13", 3:15-4:30 pm Recreation swim time for alt ages Shallow Water Aerobics ,Open House Monday, June 15", 7:30-8:30 pm A terrific water workout. Fitness Room Open House Tuesday, June 16'", 5:00-7:00 pm Demos of correct equipment use and tips for developing your personal workout plan. 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