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| February 11, 2004 |
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| SEED GROWERS USE FARM SHOW TO SUPPORT BEEF PRODUCERS |
| With less than six weeks to go to the 77th Ottawa Valley Farm Show March 16-18 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Park, organizers have decided to use the event to support the beef industry suffering the ongoing fallout of two North American cases of BSE. At a meeting Jan. 19, directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, which sponsors the show, approved two measures: The association will donate Canadian beef to be used in show food concessions operated by Lansdowne contractor Aramark, as well as at the annual banquet, reducing the price to customers; in addition, the association will provide a coupon with every $6 admission good for $2 off the price of a special show hamburger, thus twice reducing the price. |
| "Some of our exhibitors were forced to pull out this year because BSE cut into their bottom lines," Van Dusen said. "So the impact is very tangible." Despite the setback, he noted the show is once again sold out, with about 300 new and long-standing exhibitors booking space. Renfrew beef farmer Bob Dick, an executive member of both OVSGA and SOB, said the committee appreciates the support and the opportunity to highlight the impact of the crisis. In other business, the association will contribute $300 to l'Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens to help the French-language agricultural organization cover costs of its 75th anniversary celebrations. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tom Van Dusen, (613) 445-3407. |
| "The farm show is one of the largest annual agricultural gatherings in this part of the country," said Seed Growers president Bill Halpenny. "And we're in the city, a perfect opportunity to showcase the devastating impact of BSE on our members and on the farming population in general." The coupon, Halpenny noted, will allow the association to give something back to supporters of the farm show, while at the same time rallying behind beef producers. Show organizers will work closely with the Support Our Beef Committee of Renfrew County where economic losses blamed on BSE are estimated at about $20 million. The committee has been invited to set up - at no charge - an information booth at the show, said general manager Tom Van Dusen. |
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| Bill Halpenny OVSGA President |