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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-04-19, Page 12Page 11 —Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, April 19, 1978 F ,,•v°,i - - 9 ii tt , „a hoe.a eW gleomItnote .1;1;10%4.0 :k ,4 Aj i�3 d Farmers concerned about tnaustrys'ecline The farmers across Canada, particularly those in Ontario, have been telling the Federal Government for years, now that the farming industry is on the decline and, because of this decline, the economy of Canada is suffering in total. Reduction in the number of farming enterpris- es and farming ,activity has a, spin-off effect in other industries that has caused the closing of plants, the reduction of employ- ment, the reduction of economic activity, the development of an adverse balance of payments on the international trading scene, all to the financial and economic detriment of the whole nation. Farmers have been telling the Government that a prosperous, thriving farming industry is basic to the economic health of the nation. Some members of the Federal Government have been listening and have worked very hard to put into place legislation and financial policies that help the farming community to surv- ive. However, there are elements of the Government whose voice seems to be gaining credibility and achieving greater promin- ence with regard to Government policy development and their positions.are diametrically oppos- ed to the interests of the farming community. Therefore, the Ontario Federa- tion of Agriculture, representing the farmers of Ontario, are placing before the Government of Canada the following areas of farmer concern with the request that positive Government action be implemented immediately so that the farming industry will regain its past health and vigour and assist the recovery of the Canadian economy. The first and most basic need of the farm community is an improvement in the , net farm income of farmers so that they may have the means whereby they can purchase their require- ments for improving, expanding, and modernizing the farming industry in Canada. Statistics Canada has told us that realized net farm income in real terms declined 20% in 1976 and 18% in 1977, and they are projecting a decline of 11%' in 1978. This accumulated decline in farm income of 41% is reflected in the economic difficulties being exper- ienced by the farm machinery industry, by the farm supply industries, and their effect on employment and the costs to the Federal Treasury for Unemploy- ment Insurance payments. A very alarming statistic rec- ently released by the Bankers' Association shows that, in Ontar- io alone, farm bank, debt has increased by 25% during the past year and is now at a one, billion dollar leveh This, added to ' the other sources of borrowing for farmers gives us an accumulated total of two billion dollars' debt being carried by • farmers in .Ontario, where the gro"s farm income is only 2.8 billion dollars. The signs for a collapse of the industry are very visible in these figures. The current increasein farmer - debt has not been for expansion and modernization but merely to help farmers survive a period of low net income. Falling farm prices and rising input costs have put the farmer in a cost -price squeeze that is unacceptable and would not be accepted by any other segment of our society. Government mast put in place effective and meaningful stabili- zation and/or income assurance programs so that farm incomes may be supported to a level where farmers can be a source of stimulation to the entire economy once again. Secondly, farm product mark- ets must be extended, both at home and abroad. To this end, the Federal Government must enter into the GATT negotiations with a firm purpose to establish equitable tariffs in relation to those existing in other countries so that Canadian producers will have an equal opportunity at,hoth their market at home and the markets abroad. The fruit and vegetable indus- try must receive not only seasonal protection but must have tariffs in place that are equal to those in place in those countries which are our natural competitors in the world market. The dairy industry markets must be improved. Our home market is being reduced each year because of escalating costs of production while, at the same time, off -shore dairy products are being allowed into the country in ever-increasing quantities. The dairy industry deserves support from the Federal Government and one very significant and obvious supportive action would be the reduction of the quota for cheese imports into Canada. This quota should be reduced initially to no more than' 35 million pounds per year. This would provide an increase in our domestic market for fifteen million pounds, which would increase the need for Canadian produced milk consid- erably. This type of market stimulation at home would be a positive shot in the farm for our anadian dairymen, The beef industry requires support from the Federal Govern- ment so that it will 'have the confidence to continue to expand and develop its markets both at home and abroad. All other nations protect their beef produc- cers by one mechanism or another and we demand that the Federal Government place in position a beef import law that will be an effective means of providing the Canadian beef producers with a fair share of his own market, as well as encourage him, through other programs, to develop export markets for Canadian production. Thirdly, the Federal Govern- ment must unequivocally pro- claim its permanent support for the right of farmers to market their products collectively. For too long now we have observed a division in Government regarding the right of farmers to market their products through marketing boards. This division in. the Government creates considerable unease and lack of confidence in the farming community. This can only have a disastrous effect on the morale of the Canadian farmer which can only result in poor planning and the resultant inefficiencies in the production and supply of Canadian farm products. For too lotlg now, we have heard Ministers of the Federal Government expounding the party line of so-called consumer advocates with refer- ence to the `removal of marketing board powers in the areas of supply -management and pricing. The farming community, espec- ially those who have been given these powers, are most resentful of the Govern' ent's support of such unenlightened positions in spite of considerable effort on behalf of the farming community to advise the consumers and the Governments of the benefits that accrue to both the consuming public and the , food producer through the mechanism of mark- eting, boards. H I Thiscontrived witch-hunt by those who wish to make political and publicity gains" for themselv- es is, in our view, a most disastrous approach to the situa- tion. How any intelligent being could take the positions that have been taken in opposition to marketing boards when, despite their existence, farm incomes continue to fall farm • ate • rices - fot o • • ommodities continue to falll,Hand yet, the price to the consumer at the retail level continues to rise. Surely, the intelligent Canadian citizen must see that the marketing boards are not creating the problem that they are faced with and if they are not creating the problein, it certainly behooves those who are taking the cheap shots at them to direct their attention to areas where undoubtedly a ' problem exists. And finally, the Ontario Feder- ation of Agriculture, supported by its members and the farmers of Canada, strongly object to the recent open pronouncements by Ministers of the Federal Govern= ment that the food policy of this nation is to be cheap -food at any CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 tch tter FURADAN carbamate insecticide is unsurpassed for corn rootworm control. The best way to prevent' northern corn rootworms from building up resistance to insecticide is to alternate from an organophosphate insecticide to a carbamate. And FURADAN is.the carbamate to switch to. FURADAN is the systemic insecticide that kills corn rootworm larvae on contact, and then is absorbed by the roots to provide long-lasting residual control. Hard, purple granules won't bridge or cake in the applicator. FURADAN Is a Reg' TM of FMC Corp. FURADAN 10G application rate at 9-12 oz. per 1,000 feet of row. FURADAN 10G lbs./Acre Row Spacing 20" 30" 34,, 36" 38" 40" Order FURADAN ADAN Hackett 15-20 10-13.3 8.8-11.8 8.3-11.1 7.8-10.5 7.5-10 from:w Farm Equipment Lucknow 78315C