The Rural Voice, 1991-02, Page 54GREY
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
MORE CONSUMER AWARENESS OF AGRICULTURE NEEDED
Is consumer awareness of agricul-
ture a necessity? In my opinion, the
answer to this question is YES.
Statistics show that farmers make up
only three per cent of the Canadian
population, but it has been said that if
you eat, you are involved in agriculture.
But as we have become aware in recent
years, the non-farm population has very
little understanding about the agricul-
ture industry.
Because of the fact that we make up
only three per cent of the population, it
is essential that we educate the general
public on the process, the economics,
and the inter -relationship of agriculture
and society. I say this because it is this
97 per cent of the population that influ-
ences the decision makers of this coun-
try
As government support for agricul-
ture seems to be decreasing in recent
years, we as farmers must rely more and
more on the marketplace for our in-
come. Ultimately, the consumer will
have to pay more for food if farmers are
to survive, and should be educated as to
why.
A major issue in recent times has
been the ability of radical groups to
influence the consumer with what I see
as scare tactics. Public opinion seems to
be based more on perception rather than
logic and reality. We, as farmers, must
counter this type of behaviour with a
balanced view of the facts. Consumers
should be made aware of the importance
of buying wholesome Canadian prod-
ucts, and understand that we produce
some of the safest, freshest, and most
nutritious food in the world.
Anotherareaof interest is the "health
food" movement. Consumers are be-
coming more and more health con-
scious. They are worried about things
like fat intake, cholesterol, drug residue,
and recently, the well-being of the ani-
mal on the farm. The whole health issue
seems to be getting out of control as
indicated by the decline in red meat
consumption in recent years, due, in my
opinion, to a lack of knowledge of the
products being produced as well as out-
side pressure from the "health food"
movement.
Of almost any country in the world,
Canadians spend the smallest percent-
age of their disposable income on food.
Without a strong Canadian agriculture
industry supported by Canadians, this
country could easily become reliant on a
foreign country to produce our food —
namely the U.S.
The way I see it, most people don't
seem to care where their food comes
from, as long as it is safe, nutritious, and
cheap. It is our duty as an agricultural
industry to educate our consumers that
food produced in this country is superior
to any other, and it would be in their best
interest to have a secure and healthy
Canadian agricultural industry.
Educating the consumer is only the
first step in securing a healthy future for
Canadian agriculture. As farmers, we
must also be educated. We must listen to
what the consumer is demanding in the
marketplace and adjust our production
to try to meet these demands.0
George Black
first vice president
Grey County Federation
of Agriculture
You are invited to hear
BREWSTER KNEEN
Author of two books,
"From Land to Mouth, Understanding the Food System" and
"Trading Up — How Cargill, the World's Largest Grain Company,
is Changing Canadian Agriculture"
speaking on
"Understanding the politics of food
production and what we can do about it"
Wednesday, February 27, 1991 8:00 p.m.
(Refreshments served)
Knights of Columbus Hall (1 km west of Hanover, on Hwy. 4)
Sponsored by RURAL CONNECTIONS and
the Grey and Bruce County Federations of Agriculture
FREE! EVERYONE WELCOME!
50 THE RURAL VOICE