Increase foreign aid
Hazy, Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer
Gosh, it is hard to think about an upcoming national election while in the midst of summer. With so many things to see and do, summer trips, barbecues and parties, the beach and reunions, it is the furthest thing from our minds.
However, some of us might find that we have more time on our hands — an excellent opportunity to ask our local MPs about their party’s platform. I want to know which party will commit to getting us closer to the goal of 0.7 percent of Gross National Income for international aid spending.
Read Also
Crop insurance’s ability to help producers has its limitations
Farmers enrolled in crop insurance can do just as well financially when they have a horrible crop or no crop at all, compared to when they have a below average crop
Can we not find it in our hearts and in our pockets to give those less fortunate a hand-up?
Our aid contributions stand at just 0.24 percent of GNI, and have dropped from $5.65 billion in 2012, to $5 billion in 2013, to $4.2 billion in 2014. Meanwhile, the U.K. has passed a bill that enshrines in law its commitment to spend 0.7 percent of its GNI on aid every year, making it the first G7 country to meet the UN’s 45-year-old aid spending target. In 2013, only five other countries — Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates — had met or exceeded the 0.7 percent aid-spending target. The Netherlands had consistently met the target, but fell short in 2013. Canada must prioritize international development by committing to increasing our aid spending to 0.7 percent of our GNI by the year 2020.
C’mon, pull yourself away from the barbecue or hammock for just a few minutes, or maybe an hour and do a little research so that you are armed for that fall election.
Better yet, let your MP know your thoughts while he or she is home enjoying those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer.
Connie Lebeau,
Victoria, B.C.
Where have insects gone?
Emergency. Someone call 911. Somebody did a few years ago. No one answered. Now it is severe emergency.
Earlier this spring there was ample insects and insect-devouring birds activity. The blooming plants in early June did have a slightly below average activity.
However, since mid-June, when we had an inch of rain, that activity has gone to zero. Someone or group better get smart.
I drove to town. Upon returning, I discovered no insects nor bees had hit my windshield or my radiator screen.
This time of year should not be like December driving.
I spent that afternoon cutting grass in two yards. There were very few insects at all. The population of the insect diet birds is also very low. In that whole afternoon, my free hand only had to “pat” a single mosquito on the back for doing his invasive maneuver.
My hand should have been that busy in a minute, not over four hours.
We now have a devastating emergency. A 911 call a few years ago regarding our bee population seems to have been ignored. The problem has now expanded to where we now have the “cone of silence” descending upon us.
Follow the timeline — no bees, no insects, no birds, no food — no people? No problem.
Late summer newsflash could read: Insect repellent manufacturer claims bankruptcy due to zero sales.
A few years ago, our bees gave us a warning. Too late now.
Delwyn Jansen,
Useful conference
I recently attended the Farming for Profit? conference held in Moose Jaw. There were a variety of topics on the agenda.
In the livestock sessions we discussed options ranchers can use to manage dry years, how cattle producers in a much different environment to ours run their operations, and how biosecurity can be applied to animal production.
In the food section we heard about trends in producing food for consumers in the future, how dietary food rules seem to be confused, and what can be considered health foods.
Economists covered several topics from how U.S. farmers utilize crop insurance, to the positives and negatives of how interest rates and exchange rates affect agriculture.
A couple of other topics. If you hear people bad mouthing the Saskatchewan Chicken Marketing Board, we found out they do not know what they are talking about.
The board is a benefit to the consumer, the environment and the economy of the province of Saskatchewan. In this session we heard of a roundabout way farmers can counterbalance their fertilizer bill.
There were several expert speakers on transportation and its problems. This included an informative review of grain movement through the terminals at the West Coast.
All 22 Farming for Profit? conferences have been interesting and educational. Plan to attend next year’s conference.
Lorne Jackson,
Moose Jaw, Sask.
Upsetting photo
I just received the June 25, 2015 issue of The Western Producer.
On page 14 there is a picture that borders on animal abuse. The sheep’s wool hasn’t been sheared for years and the donkey’s hooves are unbelievably, disgustingly, long.
I’ve been raising sheep for 40 years, and the family has had a subscription for over 50 years, with the understanding that this is an agricultural paper.
It is extremely hard to look at this picture.
That picture should have been sent to the SPCA, not an agricultural newspaper that emphasizes health and well-being.
Darcy Reinhardt,
Rosebud, Alta.
Editor’s note: We have addressed the issue of the photograph in today’s Editor’s Notebook on page 11.
