As a longtime hog farmer and livestock agent from Melancthon Twp. for over 35 years I read with interest Doug Skeates article in the July 16th edition of the Free Press.

With hog farming in Canada in a crisis situation - Swine Flu, high costs, many producers are being forced to exit the business, many of them some of the best producers in Canada. The Canadian Government must step forward immediately and come to the aid of an vital industry or we will all be forced to exit it.

Regarding Mr. Skeates comments in his article: quote - 'Despite medical opinion that pork is unaffected by Swine Flu the suspicion that meat is tainted hopefully will reduce consumption' and the comment about expensive food such as meat, pork at under 50 lb. dressed weight sure doesn't seem expensive to me.

Before some people print articles like this in the paper perhaps they should remember where their food came from. Pork is safe and always will be a safe meat. Myself, I have kept hogs nearly 40 years but will be exiting the business this fall.

Let's stand behind the Canadian farmer and get some action in Ottawa.
Garnet Hanna
2nd Line, Melancthon