The Rural Voice, 2001-04, Page 55Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle
also came under pressure because the
federal government has not come
forward with more money to renew
the Environmental Farm Plan. "We
strongly recommend that funding for
this successful program not only be
continued but be increased and
improved," said Ridder in his brief.0
Farm leaders support
Market Revenue
program
Farm leaders attending the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture's
annual Members of Parliament
Dinner praised the Market Revenue
Program, expressed frustration with
NISA and condemned the Whole
Farm Whole Farm Relief Program
(OWFRP).
One after another, farm leaders
praised the Market Revenue Program
and complained there is no
commitment in place yet for the 2001
crop year. Peter Heinrich of the
Huron County Wheat Producers said
his members are getting frustrated
they haven't a commitment for the
2001 winter wheat crop already in
the ground, let alone the soybeans
and corn they'll be planting in the
next couple of months.
"The great benefit of Market
Revenue is that it encourages the
efficient farmer," Heinrich said.
However Heinrich wondered if
the coverage for the program
couldn't be raised to 100 per cent in
place of the current 85 per cern. He
was supported by Stephen
Thompson, farmer, farm accountant
and Federation executive member
who pointed out U.S. competitors get
close to 100 per cent full payout.
"Market Revenue is not coming
off the table," promised Paul Steckle,
MP for Huron -Bruce. "It's the one
program that works."
Steckle, however, quoted figures
that there is still a $747 million pool
of money in NISA accounts, to
which farmers contribute (along with
the federal and provincial
governments) during good times and
are supposed to draw on in bad times.
Of this, $279 million can be drawn
News
on to help now," he said.
Heinrich agreed that some farmers
are using NISA as a retirement fund
and that money should only go to
those who would be staying in
farming.
But Thompson argued that while
the government is using NISA
surpluses as a reason not to give
farmers. more support, most of the
money is often held by older, more
established farmers with high equity
and cashflow who aren't as likely, to
take money out, while younger, less
established farmers, don't have
money in NISA to take out when
needed.
As well, Evert Ridder, OFA
regional directort, said NISA has
limited ability to help in long-term
problems. His family operation used
most if its NISA savings with the
disastrous downturn in pork in 1998
so had nothing leftrto help with poor
crop prices now.
While leaders saw good and bad
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