Bad law

Dear editor,
I am writing in regard to new laws going into effect Sept. 1, 2004 regarding farm animals not being allowed to be taken to a place for custom cutting and processing unless it is government inspected.
Since we have no abattoir in the district, meat has to be taken to Dryden or somewhere in Manitoba to be slaughtered and inspected before allowing it to be processed at any local shop.
At the same time, however, it’s legal for wild meat such as moose, deer, and bear to be done locally. I find this to be unbelievable!
If government wants to pass this law, why don’t they have an abattoir in the district—or at least arrange for an inspector to be available.
Every time a minister is appointed to a position, it seems they have a bad dream and then wake up and turn it into law. Then we, especially in this district, have to pay for it (i.e., gun registration, cancelling the spring bear hunt, and now this!)
It seems the only time politicians know where Northwestern Ontario is located is when they pass a stupid law or at election time when they come looking for votes with their bag full of promises.
There are petitions in a lot of district businesses. Please sign and support local farmers and district.
As far as the abattoir goes, the big packing plants don’t want any more abattoirs and I feel government caters to the “big boys.”
In the meantime, as long as local meat is shipped from here and goes to Alberta for processing and then shipped back here, residents can expect to pay top dollar for meat.
Sign me very angry and disgusted.
Lawrence Larson
Rainy River, Ont.