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The Rural Voice, 1979-01, Page 14rr- OFA convention One delegate's impressions BY ADRIAN VOS One of the highlights of any annual meeting is always the address of the president. The OFA convention was no exception. A1I delegates are reminded once more of the achievements during the past year. This is a necessary exercise as the human mind has a tendency to forget soon. The co -conference in Ottawa, during the government's Food Strategy Conference, and the impact of this co -conference on government policies, was related by Peter Hannam. When 1200 farmers can be persuaded to drop everything and come to Ottawa, it apprently menat widespread support for OFA concerns. Mr. Hannam claimed that the 5 million pound cut in import quota was in part the result of the OFA conference. Other results he claimed were, better access to cabinet ministers and M.P.'s and more attention by consumer groups. The OFA initiated the move to organize the different marketing boards into a more effective body as an OFA committee, he said. As a result of this development the urban daily newspapers have been much less critical than before. because most editorial offices have been visited by him and board officials. This approach was reinforced by the publication of the farm price index, which tells the public what share the farmers receive, if any, of food price increases. He told of the action with regard to food kickback allegations in the retail food industry, and the fear of losing their market if they didn't succumb to the demands of the foodchains, and the investigation that is still going on. 'The rescue of the Canfarm Service from the protential purchase by a multinational corporation is considered a major victory. OFA played a major role in the decision of the minister to keep it in farmer's hands. Mr. Hannam said that major changes, to relate the program better to the needs of the farmer are already being studied. These were some of the accomplishments reported by the president, but he didn't dwell on the past too long before looking ahead to new challenges and programs. He cautioned the delegates not to forget that with the better prices for most farm products went higher input costs. And the situation could turn around very quickly if our Canadian dollar should regain its value of last year. What is needed, he said, "the support and encouragement of orderly marketing: a policy of realistic food prices rather than chcap food prices. and an adequate stabilization policy to prevent disas trous farm income declines." Mr. Hannam said that the farmer lives in a pressure cooker. Constant pressures, such as rising costs, demands for a cheap food policy, rural development, urban garbage disposal, hydro sites and corridors, nuclear dumps, gravel pits, airports, highways, pipe lines, snowmobile trails, poisonous waste disposal, objections to normal farm operations causing noise or odors and more. the farmer has to live with. Further pressure is caused when farmers expand their technology by using fertilizers. chemicals and intensive livestock PG. 14 THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1979 Same Bruce delegates to the OFA operations. "Farmers," he said, "are the pillars of society, and 1 don't want them to go the way of the buffalo. Commitment is what we give and what we want from others." Mr. Hannam was not very complimentary about the treatment of farmers by the Ontario government. Slightly more than half of the 1977 resolutions he reported action on. but those presented to the Ontario government received only 20% of the action. He was bitter about the Ontario land use guidelines. Everyone must obey them. except those who issued them. namely the government and its agencies. He was equally bitter about the Ontario farm budget. All the tens of thousands of farmers in Ontario have a ministry with a budget of only trice the subsidy given to one single Ford motor plant in Ontario. And the budget is declining year after year. while other ministries are increasing theirs. John Sokol. a farmer from Eastern Ontario and a lecturer at York University said some things that the farmers liked to hear but he intcrsperced his speech with items some farmers didn't like very mach. The farmer need better returns. for like any other business. he needs new investments. He also said: "Sell those corners of your land that don't produce. You need it for your investment." "There :u•: today half a billion more people in the world than in 19-? when there wa s so much hunger in the world. and an( ther crop failmr iike that rear will be as much more of a disaster. But. there is nothing ‘Ne can do about it. Even if we produce more. they still can't bier 'it." He took a blast at the "People's Food Commission". for their slogan: "Food for People. not for Profit." "If there is no profit. 'there will be no food." he said. Many resolutions cane licfor., the delegates. the most controversial being one frons Hastings county that wanted tilt OFA to demand "right to work " legislation. A first it was passed. illustrating the frustration of the farming community in the many strikes that affect them. However. later it was brought back and amended to ask for a better method of settling labor disputes than through striking. No resolutions were presented by Bruce, Huron or Perth counties, but delegates from all three areas were frequently at the mike to present the view of the people back home. The convention delegates agreed that OFA must expand their programs and voted for an increase in membership fees to $50 from the previous $35. Anyone can reduce this by five dollars by signing an automatic renewal plan. Vice president Ralph Barrie pointed out that this is less than half the fee of other farm organizations in the province. Peter Hannam was returned for another year as president but he hinted strongly that this may be his last year. Ralph Barrie was returned as 1st vice president, while Ronald White of Middlesex county replaced Bill BEnson as 2nd vice president. Executive members: Colleen Brown, Frank Wall, Delby Buchnall and Albin Kormos.