The Rural Voice, 1987-08, Page 16Hagedorn
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14 THE RURAL VOICE
FREE TRADE AND
OUR EAST -WEST SPLIT
Once again the country seems to
be split on an east -west basis as west-
ern farm leaders blast the eastern farm
groups for worrying over the effect
that free trade could have on their
livelihoods.
Alberta farm groups, representing
beef, pork, lamb, and grain producers,
accuse farmers in Ontario and Quebec
of trying to scuttle the free trade talks
to protect supply management boards.
"We resent them attempting to protect
their (farm) sectors on the backs of
ours," according to their statement.
Fuelled by long years of being
neglected, of feeling that they get the
brunt of unjust decisions made far off
to the east, westerners now seem to
have the attitude that anything that
hurts the east must be good for the
west. Polis continue to show strong
support across the west for free trade
negotiations. Westerners have always
seen trade barriers as helpful to the
east (and in regard to much of history
they have been right) while doing little
for them except increasing the cost of
manufactured equipment that they
could buy more cheaply from the U.S.
Today there are few trade barriers
against U.S. imports and few restric-
tions against Canadian farm exports to
the U.S. In recent years, there have
been cases of unilateral American re-
taliation to perceived Canadian advan-
tages in trade. Westem beef and pork
producers, like their eastern counter-
parts, seem mostly concerned not with
current problems, but with problems
that might develop if protectionist sen-
timent continues to flourish in the U.S.
They worry about markets for their
products if some American politician
sees a chance to win farm votes by
hitting out at Canadian imports.
We seem to be going into the free
trade discussions, in farm products at
least, to take the unenviable position
that we're only seeking the status quo.
The Americans, on the other hand, can
"bargain" with us by demanding freer
access to the markets we protect
through "supply management." While
the government insists that supply
management boards are safe, they
could easily be destroyed if borders
in those areas were struck down.
In other words, if we get what we
want in free trade negotiations, west-
ern and eastern producers of pork and
beef and some grains can only hope to
stay about where they are. If the
Americans get what they want, the
supply -managed producers (in the one
area that has shown the kind of stabil-
ity that has helped keep our farm com-
munities going through some very bad
times) could be destroyed. (Given the
ideological leanings of many beef,
pork, and grain producers, this might
be an end in itself in the negotiations.)
But even given Canada's limited
goal of protecting the markets we do
have, the Americans have shown little
inclination to give up their power to
retaliate unilaterally. The idea of a
dispute -settling mechanism has been
shot down time and again.
The situation is clouded further be-
cause of uncertainty over the one ad-
vantage Canadian farmers have over
U.S. competitors. If our dollar started
to rise and got near to being par with
the American, how many markets
would be left for Canadian farm pro-
duce in the U.S.? American farmers
already have the benefits of long
growing seasons, milder climates, and
cheaper labour, livestock housing, and
heating and fuel costs. If the dollar
were even, which direction would
farm trade be flowing?
The westerners with their knee-
jerk reaction against the east and
toward free trade may just be cooking
their own goose.0
KEITH ROULSTON, WHO LIVES NEAR
BLYTH, IS THE ORIGINATOR AND PAST
PUBLISHER OF THE RURAL VOICE.