| Farming must be seen as a priority for governments |
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| Sunday, 28 February 2010 23:34 |
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By BETTE JEAN CREWS Barrie Examiner As citizens we need to trust our government leaders to make the right decisions for agriculture's future. We've heard statements that 'agriculture is important to the Ontario economy and forms the economic backbone of many rural communities.' However, most farmers do not see these statements reflected in the actions of governments. Our government leaders are not clearly seeing that the economic backbone that is agriculture is beginning to crumble at an alarming rate. Ontario agriculture is hurting now and requires prudent public investment and sound policy so it can continue to be an important contributor to the Ontario economy. Our leaders need to appreciate the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's statistics for total Ontario farm income for 2009. The numbers do not provide reasons for much optimism -- calling for a loss of $142.5 million when figures for all Canadian farms show a profit of 1.25 billion. They provide reason for a call to arms. This is a clear sign that Ontario farms are facing some unique challenges. Ontario's livestock sector is shown to be contracting more than any other province in Canada. Clearly something has to happen to turn this trend around if we expect an optimistic outlook for the future. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture's pre-budget presentation to the provincial government stated: "The right economic stimulus package for agriculture should contain both government budgetary expenditures and the government's commitment to work with the agricultural community to address government policies that negatively affect or impede agriculture." Our budget submissions references the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition recommendations to government with the objective of improving the economic health of agriculture. Reforms to the AgriStability program are of prime importance to helping farmers cope with the prolonged deterioration in business margins. OFA's document to the provincial government pointed out that government policies have raised Ontario farm production costs, and nothing has been done to contribute to farm gate prices. We warned the government that: "Ontario's local food supply is threatened. Farmers cannot stay in business with negative margins for long...an investment in agriculture is good for the economy, the environment and is a smart, least-cost way of preserving jobs and local services in the rural communities." OFA's pre-budget document to government also dealt with a broad range of changes that government needs to implement to stimulate agriculture and put revenue back into the industry. We urged the government to make a strong commitment to the biomass industry with an aggressive process of the research and planning. This is essential so farmers can see and believe in what they are being asked to do. Along with the declining incomes for their production, farmers are also facing increased costs of getting product to market. A good example of this is when predators attack and destroy their livestock. We call on government to modernize the legislation and the rates of compensation provided for predator kills. Farmers are facing increasing losses, but government continues to delay making the necessary changes. Our government must take all of these recommendations seriously if the local food supply is to survive. In short, governments must see agriculture and farming as the priority it should be so it can help drive our country. Bette Jean Crews is the president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture |