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| For immediate release Pork Producers Running Out of Options WOODSTOCK – Today Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford and PC Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that the 4,500 hogs who are now in a barn with no hydro are unfortunately only the first examples of the difficult situations that pork producers across Ontario are going to face. “Today, one of our hog producers had his hydro cut off because he simply can’t afford to pay the bills,” said Hardeman. “Sadly, if the provincial government does not give these farmers the support that they need this will be the just the first many farmers facing situations like this.” Wayne Bartels, a pork producer in York, Ontario (Haldimand) had the hydro cut off this morning at 11:15 am. Currently, he is using generators to heat the barn where his 4,500 pigs are held but cannot afford the fuel to continue that for long. “Ontario pork producers are facing a financial disaster and their province is nowhere in sight to help them,” said Bartels. Ontario hog producers have been hit with high input costs, low market costs and H1N1. Many of the beginning farmers are having more financial hardship because they were also left out of the McGuinty government’s Ontario Cattle, Hog and Horticulture Program. “This is a terrible situation for the farmers, their families and for the animals,” said Hardeman. “The provincial government can’t wait any longer. The Minister has to face the reality of what is happening on our farms and take immediate steps to help our farmers.” - 30 -
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