The Rural Voice, 1982-07, Page 31VOICE OF A FARMER
A necessary evil
by Adrian Vos
Marketing boards of any type are a necessary evil. Anyone with
any desire for freedom of action, and I believe this includes most
people, will not accept restrictions on his/her freedom if it can be
avoided.
While there is a big difference between the restrictions of the
various marketing boards, all have some,
or they would not be needed.
However, any restrictions must be kept
to the barest minimum to allow individuals
maximum leeway within the system.
The various feather boards have a
pressing reason for existence. If the
farmers in those industries hadn't or-
ganized the way they did, it is doubtful if
much fowl would be produced in Canada.
It is almost sure that virtually all eggs and
poultry would have been imported from
the USA.
It is imperative for Canada to retain its food producing
capabilities, not only to save in foreign exchange, but also for food
security.
This was recognized by the governments at the time, and, while
depriving producers in these commodities of much of their
freedom of action. it has given those who remained a reasonable
return.
However, many who have profited by the system by selling
their quota, or by buying more quota to refill their barns, have lost
sight of the fact that the system is a "necesary evil", which takes
away freedoms other people have given their lives to retain or to
regain.
In a different context, a system which guarantees all
participants equality, regardless of ability, through a system of
collective control, which our feather industry and dairy marketing
boards do, is called "socialism".
However, almost to a man, advocates of supply management
with quotas will vociferously protest their dedication to a
democratic. free enterprise system. It is one of the anomalies in
our rural communities that when election time comes, the very
same people who will almost put their life on the line in the
defense of supply management marketing boards, inclusive of
restrictive quotas, will vote overwhelmingly in favour of the
old-line parties.
What this apparent contradiction does show is that every
system, regardless of label, has its good points. Just to reject
quota because it is socialist dogma, is as wrong as rejecting
anything, just because it has a label.
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THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1982 PG 31