The Rural Voice, 1985-01, Page 17Federal agriculture minister John Wise says that Canagrex was cancelled
because industry refused to work with it.
at a level to at least cover our costs."
Brian Ireland of Bruce County
disputed the statement which had
been bandied about that seventeen
per cent of farmers were in trouble,
suggesting it probably was much
higher. Using himself as an example,
he explained that while he was paid
up at the bank, he was three years in
arrears with FCC but Farm Credit of-
ficials had told him he wasn't even on
the list of those in trouble!
"Proper pricing of our product is
the only answer," he said. "Farmers
with high equity lose every time some-
one goes bankrupt."
Adrian Vos of the Ontario Pork
Producers' Marketing Board called
for a national conference on long-
term credit.
"Proper financing, pricing, and
control of our product are all impor-
tant," said George Strachan of Well-
ington County.
Former OFA President Ralph Bar-
rie told delegates that the federal
cabinet needs to be impressed with
the extent of the farmers' problem.
Former OFA president Ralph Barrie:
"It's time to go to Ottawa in large
numbers."
Glen Flaten, president of the Cana-
dian Federation of .Agriculture says
Canagrex wasn't given a fair trial.
"I feel," he said, "it's time to go to
Ottawa, in large numbers!" He urged
the delegates to pass the information
gathered at the convention to their
neighbours.
President Harry Pelissero, in his
address to the convention, outlined
the importance of agriculture in the
economy. "Agriculture provides one
in five jobs in Canada," he said. "If
governments want to solve unemploy-
ment, I know the place to start —
with policies supporting agriculture.
All we want is a fair share of a budget
that every year gives 18 -billion to
business in tax holidays and grants.
Business gets 6 -billion dollars of
credit annually at below market
prices.
Using the analogy of the conven-
tion theme, "Root Strength,"
Pelissero said, "Some roots are older
and deeper, some roots are younger
and closer to the surface. Regardless,
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