The Rural Voice, 2004-01, Page 11National Farmers Union - Ontario NEWSLETTER
Ontario Office: R.R. 2, Godfrey, ON KOH 1TO - Phone: 613-273-5545
Email: nfuo@ndeou.net Website: www.nfu.ca/on
NFU report exposes government and corporate lies at root of family farm crisis
The National Farmer's Union has
launched a blistering report on the
underlying causes of Canada's family
farm crisis. Since World War 11,
450,000 Canadian farms have
disappeared, leaving about 250,000.
Between 1996 and 2001 alone 11 per
cent of farm families were driven
from the land based on the myth that
family farms are not competitive.
NFU President Stewart Wells
released the report, saying "When
you liquidate a population, one of the
things that you need to do is to tell
lies in order to devalue and
marginalize those people. The most
pernicious lie told about our family
farms during this crisis is that they
are `inefficient'."
The report, entitled "The Farm
Crisis, Bigger Farms, and the Myths
of `Competition' and `Efficiency"'
explores the development of
Canadian and world agricultural
policy and demonstrates that despite
the claims of governments and
multinational agribusiness
corporations, family farms are in fact
the most efficient link in the food
chain.
"The assertion that farmers are
inefficient is incompatible with the
reality that many of us are still able to
produce despite receiving 1975
prices. Only those who can produce
and deliver their products at 1975
prices are qualified to lecture farmers
on efficiency" says Wells. In fact,
Statistics Canada data over the last 40
years clearly demonstrates that no
other sector has matched the
efficiency gains of farmers.
NFU executive member Jan
Slomp commented on the report
saying "Processors and retailers are
taking huge profits out of the food
system, squeezing farmers, and then
making the false and convenient
claim that farmers are `inefficient"'.
The farm crisis report makes no
apologies, saying; "That agribusiness
corporations would rob farmers
should be no surprise. But that our
democratic governments would so
betray us should surprise many
Canadians".
According to agricultural
journalist Phil Shaw, "It's a must
read for government bureaucrats,
industry types and of course
farmers". The complete report is
available on the NFU website at
www.nfu.ca
S.W. Ontario Members
Elected to Key NFU
positions
Dave Lewington of the Brussels
area was recently elected as National
Youth President at the NFU
convention held in Saskatoon.
Dave can be reached at 887-2681.
Don Mills of the Granton area has
been elected Ontario Co -Ordinator
for the NFU. Don can be reached at
225-2163.0
NFU NATIONAL PRESIDENT STEWART WELLS VISITS ONTARIO
Tuesday, January 27, 2004 — 7:30 p.m.
Wallace Municipal Building Hall, Gowanstown (Perth Line 88, east of Hwy 23 - beside the park)
Everyone is welcome to come and find out the NFU position
on issues of importance to the family farm
Friday, January 23, 2004 — 7:00 p.m.
Guelph Organic Conference, University of Guelph
"The Survival of Organics — A Panel Discussion"
For information on local meetings contact the following:
Bruce Local — Mathilda Andres 519-368-5675 Grey Local — Bev Schenk 519-799-5584
Huron Local — Stephen Miller 519-236-4958 Perth Oxford Local — Ann Slater 519-349-2448
JANUARY 2004 7