The record, 11 mai 2000, jeudi 11 mai 2000

The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 65 CENTS Pig farmers cleaning up their act PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL A few years ago, the public was raising a big stink over the development of mega-piggeries and their smelly impact on the environment Setting goals to diminish environmental impact of pork production By Rita Legault Pig farmers have come a long way in the last few years, says Clement Pouliot, head of Quebec’s federation of pork producers.A few years ago, the public was raising a big stink over the development of mega-piggeries and their smelly impact on the environment.But pig farmers have been cleaning up their act, and have set realistic goals to continue diminishing the environmental impact of pork production over the next four years, Pouliot said.The pig farmer from the Beauce admits the motivation for the sudden turnaround in attitudes was the negative public perception of piggeries.A study of most Quebec piggeries in 1997 showed few pork producers had adopted environmentally friendly methods of production.Six per cent of pig farmers refused to take part in the study.But attitudes are changing with better education, Pouliot said.“Five years ago, pork producers never discussed environmentally friendly methods of production,” he said, adding that at all of the regional meetings he attended this year, the environment was among the hot topics.“There will always be risks, but if we understand and manage them we will reduce them,” Pouliot said.Yesterday the pork producers federation released its environmental action plan for the Estrie region.It includes goals to reduce the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen released into the environment, to diminish the smell caused by spreading pig manure and to increase the storing capacity and concentration of manure through a better management of water used in pork production.SEE PIGS, PAGE 4 Thursday, May 1 1, 2000 Defence wants conviction ofQPF officers quashed The truth is anybody’s guess’-Walsh By Maurice Crossfield After nearly a dozen days in sentencing arguments, defence lawyers for two provincial police officers convicted of obstruction of justice will ask for a halt to the proceedings Friday.@tx:Wednesday morning Tom Walsh, who is representing Quebec Police Force officer Pierre-Yves Déragon, deposited the request.Arguing that a report filed by Déragon had little to do with drunk driving charges against the daughter of a fellow officer being dropped, the 12-page request says there are a number of contradictions concerning events during the investigation among the three Crown prosecutors involved in the case.“I believe there are contradictory elements in the stories given," Walsh told reporters during a break in the proceedings Wednesday.“Because of that we are in a situation where the truth is anybody’s guess.SEE COURT, PAGE 4 Pilsen Restaurant & Pub Restaurant & Pub 55 MAIN ST., NORTH HATLEY page 2 Thursday, May 1 1, 2000 It’s best to stick with your own generation My nephew was complaining to me the other day about his part-time job at a fast-food place; he works indoors wearing a uniform for $5.80 an hour and all the saturated fat he can stuff into his fanny pack.I was telling him about when I was a kid working as a milkman’s helper out in the freezing cold for a two-dollar bill a day.He had no idea what I was talking about.He’d never heard of a milkman or seen a two-dollar bill.I’m not even sure he knows what freezing cold is.And I didn’t try to educate him because I’ve been married long enough to know that most things can’t be explained.The person either gets it or they don’t.And it’s not their fault.My nephew has just as much trouble trying to tell me what he’s learning in school, why he likes the music he listens to, or how much more hardware he’s planning to attach to his facial features.The message is that we should all hang out with our own peer groups.The people of our generation have a lot more chance of understanding what we’re talking about and forgiving us for what we’ve done.I recommend that you marry someone around your same age, work for a boss from your own era, and always give your side of the story to the cop with the gray hair.Stomaching each other I’ve been married over 30 years, and when people ask me how to make a relationship last that long I tell them to North of 40 Red Green marry the right person.I compare it to food.Now, sure, you may like spicy food once in a while, but over the long haul you’re better off with meat and potatoes — something that will sustain you over the years without destroying your body.You need to pick a meat-and-potatoes type of partner.And don’t think you can sneak out once in a while for a spicy snack.Your wife can always tell.SMOTHER’S DAY ^5 Sunday May 14th A Special treat for a Special Lady Œeaulifiif music while diniiuj Gourmet brunch s2@° .pef(wv> + tav, f»m sertMce Qbinner *4