Image

Food guide changes could hurt agriculture: Shipley

February 23, 2018

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Bev Shipley is worried the federal government may change the Canada Food Guide to focus on more plant-based nutrition.
Shipley was in Petrolia Saturday for the National Farmers’ Union annual meeting.
He told the group while the discussions are preliminary, it appears the government may suggest in the food guides that consumers should look at plant protein and fats instead of animal fats and protein. That worries him. “Dairy products have always been a separate component of Canada’s Food Guide because of the value it brings to our diets,” he says adding a shift to plant protein and fats will “have a dramatic effect” on all farmers since much of the grains in southern Ontario are grown to feed animals. “This is not just a dairy issue or a beef issue, it is an agriculture industry issue because it touches all our systems.”
Shipley is the vice-chair of the agriculture committee and hopes to convince the federal government to move away from the concept. The first guidelines for health care providers and industry will be released this year.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Greenhill Gardens closed; upkeep of six-acre garden ‘challenging’

June 16, 2025

The Independent Greenhill Gardens – a once privately-owned oasis in Wilkesport – is closed to the public. That from the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation which took over the grounds in 2024. The gardens were cultivated by Joy Robson for years and her husband, Bill, allowed people to come and walk through the gardens for free. After the death of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Thedford EMS changes years away

June 15, 2025

The Independent Thedford residents won’t be losing their ambulance station for some time. That from Lambton County officials. Last month, Lambton Shores councillors voiced concern about a county plan which would close the Thedford station and have Forest paramedics to cover their calls. Lambton EMS also plans to move the Grand Bend station near Pinery Park hoping to provide better

Read More

Image
Front Page

No ATV rally for Petrolia Ag Society

June 15, 2025

The Independent There will not be ATVs rumbling through Petrolia this summer. Kelly Humphrey of the Petrolia Enniskillen Agricultural Society came to council in mid-May asking if PEAS could host an ATV rally with Greenwood Park as a starting and finishing point and using Petrolia streets to get to the starting and finishing point.  Julie Bullock, director of parks and

Read More

Image
Front Page

Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

Read More