The Rural Voice, 1982-01, Page 32Task force
Continued from page 6
is much higher than government and
bankers are willing to admit.
But while some farmers are already too
deep in the financial mire to be rescued.
there is still some hope for a number of
them. "This help must be immediate. It
must be responsible. It must be
effective."
The task force said, very politely that
the Banker's Association either have their
heads in the sand or are trying to deceive
everyone.
The most immediate recommendation
of the task force is to ask for a moratorium
on all farm bankruptcies, with the feds
guaranteeing payment of interest. This
would give financial advisors time to work
out problems with the farmer involved.
The bankers are strongly opposed to
that idea.
The task force wants to Ontario
government to give assistance equal to
that of other provinces. It rejects any
change in red meat marketing, unless it is
initiated by producers.
Then it suggests the establishment of a
landbank similar to ARDA. The landbank
could buy a farm in trouble and lease it
back to the farmer, who could then buy the
farm back at his option, when times
improve.
Strengthening of OMAF extension
services in marketing, research, financial
management and planning was
suggested. So was the dropping of
obsolete progt'ams to use the released
funds for new programs.
The federal stabilization plans should
be taken from the realm of previous
'margin' calculations of 'current cost'
calculations, or increase the calculations
to a 95 per cent level from the present 90
per cent.
There are more recommendations on
financial management and assistance.
A long term proposal calls for an
"advance reporting system" in cases
where foreclosure threatens.
One proposal which received little
support at the OFA convention. was that
OFA, NFU, and CFFO should work more
closely together in approaching
governments if their cause is similar.
Finally the task force recommends that
interest for all farmers should not exceed
12 per cent.
However, it would leave out all farmers
covered by supply management boards
which set prices for products and all
farmers who receive more than 20 per cent
of their income from non-farm sources.
Henderson names OFA report committee
Agriculture and Food Minister Lorne C.
Henderson has announced the formation
of an action committee to assess the
recommendations of the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture report on farm
financing, and to develop a positive course
of action for the provincial government.
The committee includes Ralph Barrie.
president of the OFA: Tom Campbell,
deputy provincial treasurer; Duncan
Allan, deputy minister of OMAF; and an
active farmer. vet to be named. Everett
Biggs, chairman of the OFA task force on
SEAFORTH 521.0120
FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED
SEAFORIH • AYR • CAMBRIDGE • WOODSIOCK
til
G. 30 THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1982
farm financing, has also been invited to
participate.
Mr. Henderson said also that provincial
officials are meeting with the banking
community to ensure that any response by
the province is practical, effective and has
the support of the banks.
He pointed out that many of the OFA
task force recommendations called for
co-operative action from the federal
government, the banks, and farm
organizations, as well as from the
province.
mss
W2$3331:$
Let's skate through an-
other year that'll bring
many special mo-
ments and memories
for you and your fam-
ilies. May peace and
contentment be your
constant companion
the entire year long.
RALHEN
HAMPSHIRES
Registered R.O.P.
Breeding Stock
Ralph Henderson
R.R. 1, Atwood, Ont.
(519) 356-2656