The Rural Voice, 1991-03, Page 54PERTH
Matt Crowley, President, R. R. 1, Gadshill NOK 1J0 393-5716
PCFA Office 229-6430
* The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
PERSPECTIVES ON MARKETING
"Farm locally, and think globally,"
was the motto for the recent OFA annual
convention. A global approach will
require change and reorganization in the
agricultural industry. There are few
other choices. Present provincial and
federal government ad-hoc relief pro-
grams may keep farmers solvent in the
short term, but do not address the prob-
lems of overproduction and artificially
low prices, the latter brought about by
U.S./E.E.C. trade wars. We need long-
term policies.
I urge the members of the Canadian
Federation of Agriculture, and all the
commodity boards, to take a good look
at the realities of a global market, and try
to organize for it.
Farmers do a very good job of pro-
ducing, but the marketing (export and
domestic) is left primarily to the com-
modity boards, processors, and govern-
ment. Why do we need government
involvement for exporting? There are
many reasons, but among the most
important is the very high cost of initiat-
ing international trade arrangements;
moral support is not enough.
Individually, federal and provincial
governments sponsor missions to ex-
port markets whenever we have a sur-
plus domestically. Rather than being a
co-ordinated national approach, it re-
sembles a disposal operation. Where do
we go from here? Some say that we
can't compete in the big leagues. I say,
"not so!" You don't have to be big,
rather, you have to work at it harder.
Some of the smallest countries in the
world achieved prosperity, not because
they were big, but because they were
willing to change, and they found they
could compete, with high quality prod-
ucts.
Now is the time for co-operation
between organizations, commodity
boards, processors, and governments, to
devise a better system of agricultural
trade. Such a system must provide
market information and facilitate the
exposure of Canadian products in the
48 THE RURAL VOICE
international arena. The system, or
organization, must co-ordinate its ap-
proach with our trade negotiators in
various countries. The organization
could also act as a selling mechanism.
The "Canagrex" approach was similar
but was defeated because some people
thought that there was too much govern-
ment involvement.
Some competing countries in Asia
and Europe, however, deal strictly at a
government level. We have to have a
better system to confront problems, and
ensure the stability and profitability of
agriculture. To quote Dr. Gordon
Bowman, "The world is not waiting for
us.
P.S.: "Canada Pork International"
could be a model for all commodities.0
by Willy Keller
active member of the PCFA
GLEANINGS
The January 24 meeting of the PCFA
was addressed by Steven Langdon,
NDP MP for Windsor -Essex.
Langdon first clarified his party's
position concerning the Middle East
conflict. In a nutshell, the NDP wanted
sanctions to be given more time to work.
Historical examples of 2 - 3 years being
needed were cited.
Now that the war is reality, the party
wants Canada to assume humanitarian
activities rather than an offensive role.
After the war, many new problems will
have to be dealt with, including those
created by war. Canada must play an
active role in solving them, according to
Langdon.
Langdon's main discussion topic
was agriculture. It would be easy for a
politician to seize a photo opportunity,
crack a broad smile for the pensive farm
audience, and say everything will work
itself out in agriculture. Langdon was
more honest than that, and deserves
respect for grappling with tough issues
alongside farm people. Regional demo-
graphics play an enormous role in ham -
All members of PCFA are
encouraged to submit their
views for the newsletter.
Get involved.
pering development of a unified agricul-
tural policy. Even in the southwestern
Ontario farm belt, farmers cite ex-
tremely diverse concerns and issues
which they feel should be prioritized in
any policies.
Local weather patterns, local de-
pendencies on certain crops, proximity
to urban encroachment, and vulnerabil-
ity to environmental problems, keep
farmers busy "putting out fires" on the
home front, sometimes at the expense of
recognizing the overall problems facing
agriculture. Looking towards setting an
agricultural agenda at the national level
becomes increasingly difficult as sup-
port for each policy initiative is splin-
tered. Difficulties are only compounded
by the world situation. Obviously, there
are no simple solutions, and we're likely
to hear of the same problems, like a
broken record, for some time to come.0
John Drummond
PCFA monthly meetings
are usually held on the
fourth Thursday of the
month. Contact the office
at 229-6430 for the exact
date and time if you are
interested in attending.
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