The Rural Voice, 1989-02, Page 8AP
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6 THE RURAL VOICE
WHO'S IN CHARGE OF
THE FARM PORTFOLIO?
Giving Deputy Prime Minister Don
Mazankowski the added portfolio of
agriculture minister would appear to
give farming the stronger political
clout it needs.
It means that for the first time
agriculture has been invited to dine at
the all-powerful special federal cabinet
table — the Planning and Priorities
Committee.
Sounds good, you say. But it all
depends on what plans the government
has for agriculture.
Given Mulroney's enthusiasm for
free trade and his history of fronting
for Uncle Sam to eliminate farm trade
barriers through the GATT, I'd say the
outlook is: "Look out!"
Don Mazankowski has no track
record when it comes to agriculture,
and his austere devotion to his mentor
should sound alarms, particularly in
the supply management sector.
If it wants, this new Canadian
administration has four years to
dismantle the supply management
system. It can pick up where the
previous Mulroney government left
off — diluting border controls under
the Canada -U.S. free trade pact.
What should be of further concern
to poultry and dairy farmers across
Canada is the four-year mandate of the
Bush administration south of the
border.
Mazankowski's American
counterpart named by Bush is none
other than Clayton Yeutter, the good
of boy from the Reagan administra-
tion who, as trade representative,
engineered the Canada -U.S. trade
deal.
Behind that infectious smile and
great set of choppers is an economic
carnivore who will do everything in
his power to dismantle the border -
control powers of Canada's marketing
agencies.
Last summer when the U.S.
Congress whisked through the free
trade pact, Reagan attached a
Statement of Administrative Action
outlining U.S. intentions during the
implementing period of the pact:
"The United States has not yet
succeeded in eliminating ... quotas
which still restrict U.S. opportunities
to sell in the Canadian market. The
United States intends to seek further
liberalization with respect to agri-
cultural import barriers as a high
priority in our bilateral relationship
with Canada."
As Reagan's "top gun" trader, be
assured that Yeutter had a big part in
drafting that policy. Also be assured
that, as the Bush agriculture secretary,
Yeutter is strategically placed to strike
at Canadian marketing boards.
Yeutter won't strike with a club
and a grunt, but rather he'll stick
Canadian farmers between the ribs
with his slick stiletto charm.
My guess is that over the next few
years Canadian farmers will see and
hear more from Yeutter than from
Mazankowski.
As he has done in the past, Yeutter
will charm the pitchforks off a lot of
farmers with his stories ... "Well
gosh, folks, my wife and I honey-
mooned in Canada."
If Yeutter has his way, remember 1
warned you.0
Gord Wainman has been an urban -
based agriculture reporter for 13 years.
ATTENTION
RURAL PEOPLE UNDER 16
Enter your art, writing, and
poetry about farm life in the
Rural Voice Competition.
Send to: The Rural Voice, Box
37, Goderich, Ontario, N7A 3Y5
Deadline February 7, 1989