Mr. Knutson assured Mr. van der Laan that if a flock is seized, the farmer will be compensated at fair market value. This contrasted with the opinion offered by Mr. Johnson, who was not quite as optimistic. The topic of livestock disease continued, with foot and mouth disease taking over the discussion. Henry Devet of the Middlesex County Pork Producers urged the gathered politicians not to take the threat of foot and mouth lightly. I don't think you can overreact.
Nutrient management is another issue facing livestock producers.
Several members of the audience urged the politicians to support farmers in their efforts to create and maintain environmentally safe operations. Mr. Beaubien said that his government is sympathetic to farmers and will be supportive of them through the process. He also acknowledged that human waste poses a threat to the environment and that municipalities and individuals need to take responsibility, just as farmers are doing. The issue of subsidies for grain and oilseed farmers, as well as the government's support of farmers in general was the central topic in a discussion that dominated the second half of the meeting. Subsidies to American and European farmers have made it nearly impossible for Canadians to compete, they said.