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Wednesday, April 25, 2007 · Page 7 Ensuring a safe food supply by Betty Jean Crews, Vice-President Ontario Federation of Agriculture Having a safe and secure supply of food is as important to all of us as life itself. If there's something wrong with our food, then invariably there will be something wrong with us ­ either short or long term. The same holds true for our animals whether they have two or four legs, hair, fur or feathers. It is our responsibility to ensure the food or feed we provide to our animals is as safe as possible ­ today that goes for the food we produce on our own farms and any materials we have delivered to our farms. Unfortunately, it is more difficult to ensure the safety of food materials delivered to our farms. When you give up control of the source of the ingredients, you also lose control of any guarantee of quality of the contents. Many Canadians were left fearing for the health and safety of their pet dogs and cats recently. They had paid top dollar for brand name products, expecting only the best ingredients. When one of the ingredients, an imported product, was shown to contain a dangerous contaminant, their only recourse was to stop offering the food to their animals. Before this measure could be taken, however, hundreds of their pets became sick and many died. This product was bought with the expectation of getaddition, the fun part of the meeting was learning to cast on. Casting on is defined as "the technique of forming the first row of stitches on the knitting needle". Even though quite a few of us found it troublesome throughout the night, it slowly came to us or was and is making its way. After a while of trying to cast on, we all tossed in for a special door prize drawing. Again, thankyou to Kathy for the wonderful prize dragon and bear, they will be much cherished and admired. We are all looking forward to our next meeting on April 25 when we will have the chance to try our fingers at crocheting. Until next time, I leave your fingers itching, ready to yarn on! 4-H Knitting Club BY ANGELA ROBERTSON ting a safe, quality product. When some of the ingredients come from another area of the world, control over the safety of the final product can't be guaranteed. Canadian farmers recognize the importance of setting high quality standards for the produce sold from their farms. They also know the value of maintaining high standards at all levels of production, processing and distribution of foods they are responsible for in the market place. I would hope our consumers recognize the priority our producers and processors place on the delivery of high quality and safe product to the supermarket shelves. For years now, Canadian commodity organizations have participated in programs aimed at ensuring top quality product gets to the marketplace. Part of that process provides a traceability factor that allows food safety inspectors to trace the food item back to the procesJack Morris sor and producer. Not all of the imported products given shelf space in our supermarkets offer this feature and the security of quality assurance it provides. Canadian producers have adjusted production practices and incurred extra costs to offer this type of quality assurance. Consumers expecting similar high quality products from producers in other nations need to investigate what policies and procedures those nations have in place to deliver such assurances. Unfortunately, Canadian consumers do not have a clear choice at the grocery store. Canadian labelling regulations disguise many imported products, suggesting to consumers the food was grown in Canada. Labels such as `Canada Grade A' leave a false impression with consumers. As Canadians increasingly demand local food, the regulations need to be updatAuctions Inc. ed to enable our customers to make informed and accurate choices. If we are to capitalize on our exemplary record and high standards, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency needs to ensure labels are not misleading. The OFA is pressuring CFIA to review all labelling regulations so our customers can buy safe, locally-produced food with confidence. We believe everyone buying food for themselves, their families, or their animals is entitled to a supply of safe, high quality food. Canadian taxpayers have paid for the services of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but this doesn't cover food or feed produced in other nations. Until labels are improved, buyers need to beware! LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. REAL ESTATE AUCTION MAY 5TH ON SITE AGRICULTURE LAND in Lakeshore consisting of two parcels - 11 a.m. 85.51 acres at 866 Conc. 6 with 1 1/2 storey home and outbuildings. 10 a.m. 13.52 acres at 877 Puce Road with 1 1/2 storey home and out buildings. Recent survey is available for this untiled land. For further info, terms and conditions or to view properties please call RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. 519-735-3070 Jack Morris Hear ye, hear ye! Okay, so has it really been THAT long since we've put our needles together? All this changed on Wednesday, April 18 when leaders Mary, Andrea and Kathy decided to let their yarns tangle to create 4-H's newest club. This year we put our needles and crochet hooks in yarn and welcome the "Knitting and Crocheting" club to the board. From 6:45 to about 8:45, three leaders and a roomful of members met at the Essex Civic Centre to officially call the first of our meetings to order. All anxious to tangle our yarns, the business was taken care of first. A flurry of ominations and elections ere held and we would like o congratulate Bonnie on er first year presidency, enior member Amanda as ice, Darren as secretary, irst-year member Jessica as reasurer and third-year ember Angela as press eporter. The hard part uickly came ­ a club name. uggestions such as `Knitastic', `Hooked on Knitting' nd `Knitsters' came up, but or now, we've chosen to be ameless. We quickly rapped up the business and et new leader Kathy, experinced knitter and crocheter, ake the floor. Being new as she was, athy quickly stepped up to how us the threads and each us about the different ized needles and important efinitions. She also brought long a few examples of diferent types of knitting and rocheting items such as a eedle gauge, point protectors and stitch markers. In Saturday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m. For the estate of Barb Cowan, 4 Centre St. E., Tilbury. At stop light at intersection of Hwy. 2 and Queen St., go north on Queen one block to Centre and go right to #4. Furniture and Appliances: antique drop leaf table; wooden kitchen chairs; flat front china cabinet; chest of drawers; old dressers; new metal bed and mattress; cedar chest; display cabinet; 2 antique (green glass) table lamps; Maytag washer; Admiral dryer; small stove and fridge; small freezer; small TV etc. Small Items: cuckoo clock; Royal Family items; Norman Rockwell plates, cups and saucers; quantity of dishes, glassware and kitchen items; variety of craft items; old records and tapes - Johnny Cash and Country/Western; few dolls; very large quantity of knic knacs; numerous box lots; wheelbarrow; old lawnmower etc. Terms cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch available. Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 Photos at www.jackmorrisauctions.com Household Auction Sale 210.53 acres of farmland with buildings, seven tractors, irrigation, tomato, potato and general farm equipment and farm primitives Saturday, April 28 at 9:30 a.m., property at 2:00 p.m. Selling the property of Huffman Farms, 1659 and 1682 Huffman Rd., Harrow. For info call Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Details and photos at www.jackmorrisauctions.com Auction Reminder Auctions Inc. OUTSTANDING ESTATE Saturday, April 28th at 9:00 A.M. At Lakeside Park Pavillion Kingsville We will be selling the Exceptional Estate of the late Father William Stoba of Windsor plus selected additions. Glassware and China: 19 Royal Doulton Figurines, 2sets of Royal Doulton Lamps, over 50 Hummels, Lalique, Baccarat crystal, 15 Lladro figurines, Green mark Belleek, Goebel nativity scene, Lladro nativity scene, Waterford, Kaiser, Royal Bayreuth, Nippon 2Shelley cups and saucers and others, sterling silver. Furniture: 7 1/2 ft. Art Nouveau oak china cabinet, massive Victorian bed with burled walnut panels and matching dresser, maple tall chest of drawers made in Buffalo, N.Y., early corner cabinet, unique deco china cabinet with leaded glass door, large carved oak sofa and 2 matching oak arm chairs originally from Mackenzie Hall Windsor, mahogany circular display cabinet, oak curved glass china cabinet, pump organ, Roxton maple hutch, etc. Collectibles: Collection of signed paperweights, bronzes, Moorcroft lamp, hand knotted rugs, Walkerville fire hydrant, large cast iron kettle, Willard batteries, clock, early walnut wall clock with rooster pendulum, newer cast iron banks, Popeye collectibles, candlestick phone, plastic radios, crocks and jugs,oil paintings, oil lamps, religious collectibles. Tools: Craftsman 10" radial arm saw, 12" band saw, wood lathe, 10" miter saw, drill press, 10" planer, table saw, Porter Cable portable compressor, pressure washer. Zina 220 electric scooter with cart and much more! First Auctioneer starting at 9:00 A.M. with general household items. Second Auctioneer at 9:30 with tools. Viewing Saturday from 8:00 A.M. LACASSE AUCTIONS INC. (519) 733-3541 FOR PHOTOS & LISTING: www.lacasseauctions.com