Kiwi competitors
Comments about New Zealand’s stance in the TPP talks by Mike Dungate, executive director of Chicken Farmers of Canada, were unprofessional and insulting (WP, May 7).
Dungate is quoted in the article as saying, “Sorry New Zealand, who are you? What clout do you have? You’ve got four million people 14,000 kilometres away from anybody that produces anything.”
Dungate implies that New Zealand is insignificant and should have no say in trade issues.
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The Pan-Canadian Action Plan on African swine fever has been developed to avoid the worst case scenario — a total loss ofmarket access.
In fact, Canadian dairy producers are scared silly of having to compete with New Zealand, since the Kiwis would easily fill some of the Canadian market if we had free trade with them.
As a Canadian sheep and beef producer, I have great respect and admiration for what the New Zealanders have been able to do with their grass-based farming systems.
The attitude of people like Dungate make it hard for me to feel sympathetic to the plight of supply-managed farmers in Canada.
Jim Johnston,
New Liskeard, Ont.
Global firms dominate
As a retired former grain and livestock producer, I read with some concern that the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has purchased 115,000 acres of prairie farmland from Assiniboia Farmland LP.
Michael Leduc, senior managing director of CPPIB, has stated that the board exists to provide a foundation upon which Canadians can build their financial security in retirement. He also states that he liked the business model of Farmland LP because it supports family farms.
It is the legal responsibility of a corporation to ensure the highest possible monetary returns to their shareholders regardless of any other stakeholders.
In 2011 and 2012 the CPPIB had increased its investments in Lockheed Martin from $1 million to $78 million. The CPPIB has also increased its investment in The Bank of East Asia, with branches here in Canada, from $1 million to $30 million.
Both Lockheed Martin and Bank of East Asia are involved in the production of the weapons of war. It is highly unlikely that family farms would favour their land being used to enhance the profits of the manufacturers of arms.
The loss of the CWB to Saudi and American interests, indicates the move to eliminate family farms, and place the production of food into the tentacles of global corporations.
Leo Kurtenbach,
IT’S NOT TRUE
Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Todd Birkhan asserts in the Brandon media that the hog industry is being made the “scapegoat” for pollution and government policies are based on political rhetoric and not science.
These are my conclusions:
Suddenly, according to the chamber, Lake Winnipeg is no longer the most polluted lake in the world. Suddenly, professors David Schindler, Eva Pip, Peter Leavitt, John Vallentyne and several others who have previously determined that phosphorus, and a majority from hog feces, are proven wrong.
Suddenly, phosphorus is no longer a threat to our water sources. Suddenly, the 2007 Clean Environment Commission, and the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Reports are worthless, because they are also wrong.
That would all be great news if it was true. But it’s not.
The assertions that the hog industry is being made a scapegoat remind me of a 1992 movie A Few Good Men, where Col. Jessup says, “They can’t handle the truth.” They don’t want to know the truth.
John Fefchak,
DIET CHANGES
Thank you so much Betty Ann Deobald, Team Resources column (WP March 5), on your timely item on gluten. I am gluten sensitive. After suffering stomach pain daily for 68 years I am now pain free.
Four years ago, my daughter-in-law suggested I try following Peter J. D’Adamos book Eat Right For Your Blood Type. I went to my local health food store where I had my blood typed at a fraction of the cost charged by the medical system. Immediately after I started eating according to my blood type I was pain free and have been ever since. I avoid gluten, most dairy products and several other foods that my system does not digest. I also avoid soy, MSG and refined sugar.
Reading labels when shopping is a must. I buy as many organic foods as are available and use only chemical free skin and hair products. The only prescription I require is for low thyroid, a hereditary condition in my family. This problem could have been avoided too had I taken kelp supplements as a child.
Elain Sloan,
Busby, Alta.
BUDGET GLASSES
I’ve got to get me some Parliamentary Budget Officer trick sunglasses, after seeing the parliamentary budget office report recently. Prime Minister Stephen Harper tries to equalize benefits to kids, giving money to those in daycare and those not.
Then wait, the PBO claims it is scandalous that money is going to those who don’t use daycare.
Harper recognizes that any care of kids has a cost, but the PBO blandly claims only parents who use daycare have costs, choosing to ignore the $40,000 household cost of giving up salary to be with the kids.
Harper finally recognizes unpaid-care labour as Canada promised to do at the UN 20 years ago. But the PBO keeps slapping in the face women who do traditional roles as if mothers at home do not work.
The PBO office must have opaque sunglasses that lets in no light. Cute party trick, but far from reality.
Beverley Smith,
Calgary, Alta.
BROKEN PROMISE
In a letter to the Interlake Enterprise May 27, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development, Ron Kostyshyn reiterates the support of the NDP government for the CWB, while members of the opposition sat on their hands.
He tells us “the end of the single desk system means farmers are getting a smaller piece of the pie.” No argument or disagreement there.
As he recognizes that farmers, selling grain, are getting a smaller piece of the pie, I wonder how he feels about hog producers who had the single desk selling feature removed in 1996 by the Conservative Filmon government to promote better open marketing for a competitive industry – Maple Leaf.
What about the smaller size of their pie? In 1972 under Premier Ed Schreyer, the provincial government created the Manitoba Hog Producers Marketing Board with single-desk selling powers.
Any packer who wanted to purchase hogs had to buy from the single-desk seller. This collective-bargaining power had been a long-standing demand of hog producers.
In opposition, the NDP promised to restore it, so farmers were optimistic when the NDP won power in 1999.
Now, 16 years later and holding power, no further action has taken place. Michael McCain, president of Maple Leaf is in complete control.
Promise made. Promise broken.
John Fefchak,
Virden, Man.
