The Rural Voice, 1987-09, Page 80BRUCE COUNTY Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario
N4N 1P9 519-364-3050
THE AGRICULTURAL ISSUES OF THE 1987 ELECTION
The Executive Committee of the
OFA has chosen to emphasize four areas
of concern during the 1987 provincial
election campaign. Obviously there are
many issues important to the farm
community, but by focusing on four
areas during discussions with the politi-
cal parties, the organization can present
a clear message and call for major
commitments to action.
1. Farm Income and
Agricultural Finance
The OFA has promoted a broadly
based approach to the financial revitali-
zation of the industry.
CROP INSURANCE
The OFA has called for an increase
in basic coverage to 90 per cent of
average yield with provincial cost-shar-
ing on premium cost; the introduction of
separate farm coverage; the provision of
multi -peril spot loss as an option; the
integration of crop insurance and stabi-
lization programs.
STABILIZATION
Price stabilization plans cannot cope
with a prolonged trade war. Payout
formulas rapidly incorporate distorted
prices and eliminate support payments.
Most stabilization plans are insensitive
to the absolute cost of production. The
OFA proposes that the province make
an extraordinary deficiency payment to
maintain receipts at the 1986 level, that
farm -fed grains be included in stabiliza-
tion, and that acomprehensive re -design
of the overall program be initiated.
CREDIT
Not only is credit expensive, it be-
comes harder to find as financial institu-
tions re-evaluate their agricultural port-
folio and the FCC teeters on the brink of
insolvency. The OFA wants the govern-
ment to lower the cost of credit to three
to four percentage points over inflation,
and to present an integrated financial
assistance package which would cover
short and long term credit requirements.
2. An Agreement on
Trade with the U.S.
The OFA strongly supports trade
negotiations, both bilateral and multilat-
eral, that would seek to establish fairer
and more effective trading rules and
dispute -settling mechanisms, maintain
and improve market access for Cana-
dian agricultural products, and reduce or
eliminate international trade subsidies.
However, we insist that these trade
negotiations must be done in a manner
that will protect our right to establish
and maintain distinctive and effective
Canadian agricultural policy and will
protect essential agricultural structures
such as marketing boards, the Canadian
Wheat Board marketing system, and
seasonal horticultural tariffs.
3. Land Use
RIGHT TO FARM
In the spring of 1986, the OFA de-
veloped a policy statement on the issue
of Right to Farm which commented on
the need for legislation, suggested
REGIONAL MEETING
Wednesday, September 30
Arran -Tara Community Centre, 8 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Jack Wilkinson, OFA
Election of township and regional directors as well
as convention delegates — for Bruce North and
Bruce Centre, including the townships of Brant,
Greenock, Elderslie, Saugeen, Arran, Amabel,
Albemarle, Eastnor, Lindsay, and St. Edmunds.
This is your opportunity to shape the
federation for the future. Please plan to attend.
78 THE RURAL VOICE
elements to be included in the legisla-
tion, and criticized much of the existing
law which had impact on agricultural
lands and farm practices. (See Right to
Farm: A Policy Statement by the On-
tario Federation of Agriculture)
FOODLAND GUIDELINES
On April 30, 1987, the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture in association
with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
circulated the Foodland Preservation
Policy Statement for public review and
comment. See The Proposed Foodland
Preservation Policy Statement: A Re-
sponse by the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture.
WETLANDS (See the Joint State-
ment on Wetland Conservation issued
by the Ontario Federation of Agricul-
ture and the Federation of Ontario Natu-
ralists)
4. Waste Management
The OFA recommends that the On-
tario government undertake a province -
wide initiative to improve waste man-
agement. That iniative should include:
more and better information on current
and alternative waste managementprac-
tices; revised standards and regulations
for the siting and operation of landfill
sites; funding for research in waste
management; financial assistance to
regional governments beyond the cur-
rent level; an improved consultation and
site -approval process; better monitoring
of sites to provide early warning of
problems.0
REGIONAL MEETING
Thursday, October 1
Ripley Legion Hall, 8 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Jack Wilkinson, OFA
Election of township and regional directors as well
as convention delegates — for Bruce South and
Bruce West, including the townships of Huron,
Kinloss, Kincardine, Bruce, Culross, and Carrick.
This is your opportunity to shape the
federation for the future. Please plan to attend.