The Rural Voice, 1990-08, Page 58BRUCE
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County federation members by the BCFA.
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
STABLE FUNDING
FOR A GENERAL FARM ORGANIZATION
In February 1990, a special consulta-
tion of OFA directors, staff, county
federations, and many commodity or-
ganizations was held in Toronto to dis-
cuss the concept of stable funding for a
general interest farm organization in
Ontario.
A steering committee was appointed
to develop a workable mechanism for
stable funding. Its recommendations
have now been presented to the OFA
Board of Directors.
The report recognizes and reinforces
the need for a general interest farm or-
ganization that is committed to the eco-
nomic and social well-being of farm
families and rural communities. The
general interest farm organization
speaks for the farmer and assists govern-
ment in the development and delivery of
effective agricultural policy.
Obviously, the general interest farm
organization, to be effective, must be
broadly based and well -funded.
The work done on behalf of agricul-
ture results in benefits to ALL FARM-
ERS and, if the costs are shared by all
who benefit, the cost per farm is reason-
able.
The stable funding proposal devel-
oped by the steering committee and
approved by the OFA board calls for an
Dont't miss the
Giant Farm
Consignment
Auction and
Flea Market
to be held Saturday,
August 4, starting at
10 a.m. at the Teeswater
Fairgrounds.
54 THE RURAL VOICE
Ontario farmer registration fee with two
identified components:
(a) a non-refundable registration fee
and
(b) a refundable general farm organi-
zation fee.
The incentives to register will be to
support the work done on your behalf by
the general interest farm organization
and also to ensure "fast track" access
when applying for all provincial agri-
cultural government services.
The proposed registration will be
voluntary. Farmers who do not wish to
register will still be eligible for agricul-
tural services and programs but will
have to demonstrate through equivalent
documentation their eligibility to apply
for each provincial agricultural program
and service.
The OFA is now in the process of
working out technical details of the
mechanism.
Consultation is continuing with
interested bodies in government as well
as opposition parties and other agricul-
tural associations. The registration sys-
tem will require the authority of legisla-
tion from Queen's Park.
All farmers should recognize that
this stable funding proposal will benefit
farm families by strengthening the voice
that represents their interests and con-
cerns in Ontario.
GOODS AND
SERVICES TAX
The Goods and Services Tax will be
a fact of life in 1991. All farmers should
be sure to register their businesses by
completing the one-page GST registra-
tion form and returning it to Revenue
Canada.
If farmers do not register, they will
be unable to claim rebates for taxes paid
on business inputs.
If you don't have a form or need
information, contact Revenue Canada
Customs and Excise.
WATCH FOR THESE
Farmers will also soon receive appli-
cation forms for two programs. The
Ontario interest assistance program and
the federal grains and oilseeds program
will be received in a single package.
Be sure to read carefully and apply
for the grain and oilseeds program even
if you don't qualify for benefits under
the interest assistance program.
Byron Monk
OFA Director
Bruce South
BRUCE COUNTY EXECUTIVE 1989-90
Past president Ron Garland R. R. 2, Cargill NOG 1J0
President
1st Vice
2nd Vice
Bill Davis
Allan Smith
Tony Morris
Regional Directors
Bruce North
Bruce West
Bruce South
Ken Kelly
Grant Collins
Byron Monk
Dobbinton NOH 1 LO
R. R. 2, Tara NOH 2N0
R. R. 2, Mildmay NOG 2J0
R. R. 5, Paisley NOG 2N0
R. R. 1, Kincardine N2Z 2N0
R. R. 2, Elmwood NOG 2S0
366-9934
353-5446
934-2928
367-2136
389-5347
395-5131
363-2109