The Rural Voice, 2001-03, Page 54PERTH Burnell Kipfer R R #1, SeP57
PCFA Office 519-229-6430bringvilleNOK Fax1X0 519-229-6269 h: 519-271-3399 e-mail: Fax perth@ofa.on.ca19-23-0789
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA
Food Freedom Day is February 6
By February 6 this year. the average
Canadian had earned enough money to
pay for an entire year's supply of food.
That's why it's called Food Freedom
Day. For consumers it's a reason to
celebrate. as they enjoy the lowest
priced food in the world.
On Average, Canadians spend only
10.1 per cent of their personal
disposable income on food, which is
the lowest in the world. This compares
with 10.4 per cent in the U.S. and 51.4
per cent in India. Being able to feed
Canadians with such great farm product
has made this country strong and
recognized around the world as one of
the best places to live. I think society
owes a great deal to the farmers of this
country.
For farmers on the other hand, we
need to emphasize that by January 8,
the farmer's portion of the average
Canadian food bill has been paid.
I would like to give you another
situation that provides proof that
Canadian farmers get very little for
their work. Consider a banquet meal
offering deviled eggs, barbecued
chicken breast, roast beef, roast turkey,
roast pork, French bread, baked beans,
mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes and
milk. The price tag for such a buffet
would be in the range of $24. Guess
what the farmer's return would be from
selling the produce to provide that meal
– $1.67. That's right, less than two
dollars – less than the tip to the service,
and half of the PST and GST paid to
governments on that meal.
In the past year, OFA along with
other provincial and federal farm
organizations, have been asking the
Canadian government to be treated
equitably with our major food
producing competitor, the United
States. This is especially true in our
grains and oilseed sectors. We need to
get the message out as to why we are
asking to be on a level playing field.
The United States government is
providing their farmers with farm
support programs that guarantee they
stay in business. By investing in their
farm support programs, the U.S. have
allowed their farmers to continue to
produce, regardless of what they are
50 THE RURAL VOICE
getting paid for their particular
commodity. Canadian grains and
oilseed producers are being especially
hard hit by this unbalanced playing
field. Since Canadian prices for these
products. are based on U.S. markets,
the U.S. investment in their farm
support programs has resulted in prices
that are below our cost of production.
People owning and operating other
businesses know they have to make a
profit to stay in business. Farmers know
that too. and all farmers want is to be
able to get prices for their products
from the marketplace. Our grains and
oilseed producers are receiving prices
for their products which are beyond
their control, and they can't continue to
produce at below cost of production if
they are to stay farming.
Canadian farmers need assistance
comparable to our competitors — and
that is the message we have been taking
to our government and to date we have
been ignored. Input costs for farmers —
everything from fuels to crop nutrients
— have been increasing, but farmers
have little opportunity to pass those
costs along when they sell their
product.
You may ask — why is it important
for the Canadian farmer to be on a level
playing field with the American
farmer?
Consumers need to realize that
farmers are not only producers of food,
but they are stewards of the land and
the environment. As well, farmers are
members of our rural community,
anxious to do their part to keep the
community active and viable. From our
Economic Impact Study of Agriculture
in Perth County we know that farmers
are responsible for generating jobs and
economic activity far beyond the farm
gate. We know that for every $1 in
farm gate sales, we create another
$1.52 of sales in businesses that deal
with farmers. For every on-farm job
there are an additional 1.26 jobs off the
farm — that represents 29 per cent of
the total Perth county workforce. For
these reasons, it's in everyone's best
interest to have a strong farm economy.
Society needs to be aware of the
circumstances that are affecting
Canadian farmers. The question we
need to put to the Canadian public is –
do we want the ability to feed our own
people, and if we do, will our political
leaders protect this ability?0
– Submitted by Tim Shure
and Marina Schmidt
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
DECEMBER DIRECTORS'
MEETING
Thursday, March 22, 2001
Downie Mutual Insurance Office
Sebringville 8:00 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
Young Farmers Forum
Friday, March 2, 2001 — 7:00 p.m.
Seaforth Agri-Plex, Seaforth
If you are going to be successful in your career, you better start planning. Essential to any
career or business operation, you must start early to be ahead in the end.
The Young Farmers Forum is a youth -oriented seminar to promote the education of young
farmers in Ontario.
On this year's agenda, a representative from "Clarica" will talk about Farm Succession. A panel
of people who have integrated themselves into their careers within the past few years, will share
their approach. The final spearcer is Gabriele Del Bianco. The topic of his presentation is
"Wellness, An investment in our future success".
The cost of admission covers the seminar and the Jr. Farmers dance, which immediately follows
the seminar. To guarantee the value of this seminar your local County Federation of Agriculture
will refund your $10 admission fee for attending and registering at the seminar. To reserve your
space and more information call 519-527-2058 or OFA area office 1-800-511-1135.0
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