Ontario Farmer article about sheep milk cheeses.
Ontario Farmer recently ran an article about artisanal cheese in Ontario and naturally sheeps' milk cheeses were heavily mentioned. The Ontario Cheese Society has permission to reprint the article…
There is no question that rural Ontario has been badly affected by poor commodity prices and is threatened by oppressive regulation. The ground-swell of discontent has produced tractor convoys and suggestions of rallies such as the one planned for March 2nd. As an organization, ODSA empathizes with the mood of the participants and encourages constructive action to bring about a remedy.
As an organization, ODSA will not be participating in the March 2nd Rally. We believe there are better ways of working with the powers-that-be to better the lot of dairy sheep producers. Announcements such as the funding for the improvement of Federal slaughter capacity at St. Helen's and Abingdon's are signs of the steady progress that is being made to address the issues of lamb slaughter. The generous support shown to the Ontario Cheese Society initiative is another indication of constructive action that can be accomplished with an enlightened government. Certainly there is much more work to be done regarding regulations and having an atmosphere of enabling attitudes towards the profitable production of sheep milk and artisan cheese. But officially joining the rally does not appear to be a good match for our resources or ambitions.
This being said, if an ODSA member wishes to be part of this day, more power to them. We can certainly understand the desire to join in the voice of rural discontent. We trust that all actions will be kept peaceful and constructive and in the best interests of all Ontarion's, rural and urban.
Larry Kupecz
President ODSA