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Huron Expositor, 2005-02-16, Page 66 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Feb 16. 2005 News OFA president hears hardships of area farmers By Cheryl Heath News -Record Editor The average farmer earns $14,000 per year — $11,000 less than the $25,000 deemed as the low-income cut off point by Revenue Canada. That is one of the many reasons thousands of fanners plan to converge on Queen's Park March 2 in a protest spearheaded by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and boosted by several other farm lobby groups, like the National Farmers Union, as well as commodity groups. 0 F A president Ron Bonnett, who fielded nearly three hours' worth of questions and commentary at a public meeting held crops grown in 2004. As it stands, says Bonnett, farmers simply will not have enough money to plant seeds come the spring. It won't mean a food shortage, he says, but it will be a devastating blow to Ontario's agricultural industry as it is already valiantly attempting to do battle with U.S. and Quebec imports that are heavily subsidized by their respective governments. As is the mantra of old school accountants, Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS), the OFA plans to follow along with the line, "it's about the income, stupid." "March 2 we are taking a message to Queen ' s Park," says Bonnett. "Now is the Quoted `March 2 we are taking a message to Queen's Park. Now is the time to move ahead together,'— OFA president Ron Bonnett in Exeter last Tuesday afternoon, says desperate times call for desperate measures. Bonnett says wherever one turns in the agricultural sector — whether it is corn, beef, pork or wheat — there is one type of crisis or another being faced by producers. Sadly, he says, it seems the provincial government is so out of step with the industry that it no longer understands a way of life is eroding while food processors and distributors continue to make profits hand over fist. A provincial cash infusion of $300 million is immediately needed to save cash crop farmers, says Bonnett, who notes a significant number of producers are still awaiting government cheques for time to move ahead together." Q&A During a lengthy question -and -answer period, Bonnett addressed a wide range of questions from area farmers, suppliers and implement dealers. Bev Hill, a Huron County farmer, says his concern is the OFA can no longer represent his interests. He says that in spite of the fact the OFA's membership is the largest of any farm lobbying group in the province, farmers have not seen the price of their goods increase. "The OFA has become, without a doubt, without a question, the largest farm organization in the province. In spite of all that, we've seen our share decline," says Hill. "Obviously, we carry much less political strength Ontario Federation of Agriculture president County last Tuesday. than we used to." Hill says farmers deserve a "decent return on investment" and that it will not happen until there is a level playing field. "Negotiations will not work unless both parties have a common share of risk," he says. In fact, says Hill, it .doesn't make sense for the government to come to the table when asked to do so because, "it's just going to cost them money." Plus, says Hill, there is nothing the OFA can do if the government doesn't respond to requests. Hill also notes recommendations set out in a September 2002 publication on the future of farming have been patently ignored. At the time, the report said efficiency and cohesion were paramount concerns and there was "no time to lose." Cheryl Heath photo Ron Bonnett fields questions from local farmers during a visit to Huron Hill asked what became of the vision contained in the 30 -month-old report. "I need to be inspired by an organization that has a vision," he says. "I am tired of feeling like a sick barn cat." Without changes, says Hill, the forecast for the future of agriculture is bleak. "Look around this crowd," he says. "How many 25 - year -old people are there?" The OFA president says the dizzying array of farm lobby groups in the province is a large part of the problem because it is both difficult to get them to work together as well as to stop the province from using "divide and conquer" techniques in order to avoid compromise. In Quebec, says Bonnett, the cohesive lobby groups meet with the province behind closed doors. "Structurally, we can do that but it's going to take some time," she says. He says that the March 2 protest will be followed up with other measures if the government fails to listen. "If that doesn't work maybe we start a rotating series of occupations," he says. Other ideas that were bandied about include an unspecified protest involving sludge. "We could be in for a long haul," says Bonnett. "We have to say to the government, 'you have a duty to respond.'" Paul Klopp, Deputy Mayor for the Municipality of Bluewater and a former MPP, says the demonstration is a step in the right direction. "You've got a government that does like to divide and conquer," he says. "It takes a lot of things together to create a perfect storm." The OFA president is hopeful the protest will be effective. "Pressure does work," he says, adding he doesn't like the tactic but "you do what you have to do." Bill Dowson, Mayor of the Municipality of Bluewater, says farming is an integral part of the rural way of fife and if the government chooses to ignore it, it will be lost. "In the future, kids will have to be bussed to urban centres," he says. "Our local community is going down the drain." Dowson says the rural way of life must be protected. "We can't stop it, but by God, I hope we can slow it down," he says. Don Edward, of Edward Fuels, says a show of strength in numbers is the way to go. He says when an entire industry works together, it can shape government polic Looks like you finally found that good reason. Every year, thousands of ()ntarians stop smoking. For themselves. For their families. For life. You can too. So set your quit date. And for help, call Smokers' Helpline: 1-877-513-5333.