The Rural Voice, 1990-01, Page 25Bill on the horizon, watch for Canadian farmers to be the losers.
THE U.S. FOOD SECURITY ACT AND THE EEP
In 1990 the U.S. Farm Bill will likely be quite similar to the
current (1985) legislation. This means that programs designed to
dump U.S. product on the international markets will continue.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Agricultural sustainability is a worthy goal, but government
pronouncements such as those contained in the Mulroney govern-
ment's paper, Growing Together, must be backed up by action. I
feel that financial incentives are the best approach to ensure farm
viability during this difficult time...
JACK STAFFORD, 1st VICE-CHAIRMAN
GAY LEA FOODS
FREE TRADE
In the milk industry, free
trade could be devastating if
the border opens up to raw
milk. My own thoughts are
Canada will have to lower
its standards on food or the
U.S. will have an unfair ad-
vantage. And farmers will
have very little say in dispute
settling.
FARM FINANCING
Farm Credit should not be
the last resource for financ-
ing. An interest -rate rebate will have to be put in place if Ontario
farmers are going to compete with other provinces and the U.S.
PRESERVING FARM LAND
We have more land in production now than is needed to feed
the population. Severances in some areas need some restriction
but the farmer also needs protection from complaints that arise
when the city dweller moves to the country.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
The better use of biotechnology could reduce the amount of
chemicals that are now necessary to obtain high production.
LYNN GIRTY
ONTARIO SEED CORN GROWERS
FARM FINANCING
The FCC must become the
major provider of farm credit
for both the long and inter-
mediate term. It must become
the "Home Administration" of
Canada in order to help level
the playing field.
CROP INSURANCE
There will be some minor
changes shortly, but there will
have to be major changes as
part of a long-term commitment
to an expanded self -developing agricultural
industry that will supply a much greater portion
of our own market but a smaller export market.
THE GATT
GATT will not achieve its goal of liberalized trade. However,
GATT will be reconvened to assist in developing more orderly
managed export trade as countries continue to form trading blocks
and move towards more managed production within their own
borders. In the short term, Canada will give in totally on Article
XI, but eventually Canada will follow the rest of the world and
become better managed. Countervail actions from the U.S. will
increase yearly throughout the 1990s.
FOOD HEALTH
Consumers' fears will not be soothed by reality until the store
shelves are bare. However, increased monitoring will help slow
the increasing fear. Education efforts will have to increase. But,
as with Alar, when the fear level goes too high so quickly, farmers
must abandon the product to alleviate consumer panic. Govern-
ments then must close the borders to imports until the safety of
products banned in Canada is 100 per cent guaranteed.
THE FEDERAL DISCUSSION PAPER
The paper is unfortunately based on the early 1980s drive for
unfettered free trade. The world movement since the summer of
1989 is towards more managed trade, so this paper is dated and out
of "sync." The federal govemment will probably have to change
in order for Canada to catch up with the rest of the world.
RON GARLAND
ONTARIO SHEEP MARKETING AGENCY
FREE TRADE
I expect to see the dollar at par, which will eliminate the only
advantage we have now. In the lamb industry we will likely see a
restriction on Canadian lamb by the U.S., as the Americans are
preparing to countervail New Zealand lamb and fear it will come
into Canada and go south as Canadian product.
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Yes, the issue will be prominent. We will have to get our
production systems in line. Sheep producers in OSMA have set a
high priority on a code of production practice. We are also seeing
the removal of predator controls as a major concem.
THE ENVIRONMENT
I admit the concern is there and real. Let us get our house in
order before we are legislated into practices that will be detrimen-
tal to agriculture. Tic all support programs into environmentally
sound practices.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
At this time we don't need biotechnology. Present
overproduction means lower prices, fewer farmers, fewer farms,
and the erosion of the rural community.
INCOME SUPPORT
Income stabilization is needed, but tripartite, I believe, extends
low prices. I would propose an alternate income support scheme.
THE FEDERAL DISCUSSION PAPER
The paper asks agriculture to give up a lot — for no gains in
return.0
JANUARY 1990 23