The Rural Voice, 2002-06, Page 62PERTH
Burnell Kipfer, R.R. #1, Sebringville NOK 1X0 Ph: 519-271-3399 Fax 519-273-0789
PCFA Office 519-229-6430 Fax 519-229-6269 e-mail: perth@ofa.on.ca
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Striving to compete
By Bill Mailloux, Vice -President,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Ontario farmers have long been
amongst the most productiye and
competitive in the world. We have
ideal soils and some of the most
modern technology at our fingertips
to improve our ability to compete
with farmers anywhere.
Because farming is predominantly
an outdoor activity, weather plays a
big role in determining how
successful we can be in any particular
year. International markets also have
a major impact. It's for these reasons
we have worked with our
governments to put safety net
programs in place.
The theory behind Canada's safety
net programs has been basically good
for a number of years, but when we
examine what our major competitors
in the United States can expect in
support from their government, we
are not in good shape ... and the
picture is worsening rapidly.
U.S. farmers are benefactors of the
U.S. Farm Bill — legislation that sets
out the level of support the various
commodities are eligible for in a
given period of time. The most recent
' The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA.
announcement from the U.S. tells us
an additional $73.5 billion will be
available to farmers there over the
next 10 years, or in Canadian funds,
an extra $11.4 billion per year.
We are told the U.S. Farm Bill
provides a cap of $360,000 (U.S.) per
farmer as the maximum payout, but
then we are told of loopholes that
change the meaning of the caps.
Canadian farmers find it very
difficult, if not impossible, to
compete when their neighbours have
such healthy support programs.
Our Federal Government has
embarked on the development of a
long-term strategy to support its
farmers. Known as the Agricultural
Policy Framework, the strategy is.
intended to serve Canadian farmers
for three to five years beginning in
2003.
The Agricultural Policy Framework
will deal with everything from food
quality and food safety to the
environment, science and innovation,
renewal of the industry, to business
risk management. While the details
are still being developed, it is
important that all farm organizations
work together to provide solid
Bert Vorstenbosch, PCFA Executive spoke with Hon. Helen Johns, Minister of
Agriculture and Food in Exeter on Thursday, May 2.
58 THE RURAL VOICE
direction to our governments on the
future needs of agriculture.
The U.S. Farm Bill talks about
credit programs for beginning
farmers and extending the duration of
such loans. The Canadian proposal
outlines plans to help beginning
farmers to acquire the skills and
expertise to manage their business, to
upgrade their skills in an evolving
industry, and to provide farmers with
access to a wide range of choices to
enhance their future quality of life.
Somehow, what the U.S. offers its
farmers seems superior to what
Canadian farmers might experience.
Our Federal Minister Lyle Vanclief
describes his government's plan as a
"broad and integrated policy" aimed
at enabling Canadian farmers to
"continue to be world leaders and to
capitalize on the opportunities of the
global market."
In reality, however, Canadian
farmers are hoping for some interim
funding to prop up existing safety net
programs — money that is needed to
get us from today's desperate
financial situation to when the APF is
operational.
We see hope in the
recommendations submitted in the
interim report of the Prime Minister's
Caucus Task Force On Future
Opportunities in Farming. The
question is: how fast will our Federal
MPs move to make these
recommendations a reality? Time is
critically short for a number of
producers facing financial
insolvency!O
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
June 27, 2002
Downie Mutual Insurance Office
Sebringville 8:D0 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
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