OFA talks to federal, provincial & territorial Agriculture Ministers

Posted By BETTE JEAN CREWS, PRESIDENT, OFA 

July 31, 2009

The Federal and Provincial Ag Ministers met last week in Ontario. The
meeting is held annually to discuss the concerns of each province.
Through the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, farm leaders met with
the Ministers to ensure they hear, first hand, the concerns of Canadian
farmers. I was there to ensure Ontario farmer views were heard. The
Ontario Federation of Agriculture has always advocated grass roots
positions. To ensure consistent messaging we met with our commodity
partners ahead of time to determine our priorities for strengthening
agriculture. 

The Ministers heard loud and clear about the pork crisis and how current
programming is not responding. Ministers agreed to work with the
industry to address current challenges and move towards sustainability
and profitability. Business risk management strategies as well as
livestock insurance were also put on the table. Business risk management
program shortcomings were acknowledged and direction to review possible
program design options was given. OFA is optimistic this will help
farmers suffering from current economic challenges. 

Beyond bleak market conditions, all challenges facing the beef and pork
sectors were highlighted, including the cost impact of regulations on
specified risk materials, deadstock and the lack of slaughter
facilities. OFA has had task forces and discussions with government in
the spring to ensure they understood the impacts of the deadstock issue.
I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to see all this
information come full circle two nights ago when I attended the Ontario
Cattleman's annual barbecue. I had taken their concerns to this
Ministers conference, was given some answers and within the week,
delivered Ministers' responses to our members so the communication
process could start again. 

The government has an increasingly important role in Food Safety. The
OFA pushed the need for government to take responsibility to help
protect the public from a food crisis. Public funds should be used to
invest in food safety and traceability programs. Initiatives that can
track contaminated food, including dates and locations where it might
have been purchased, will prevent or lessen a crisis. OFA acknowledged
that farmers are responsible for producing the safest food possible and
government should have the best food crisis strategy possible . . . all
of which can be achieved collaboratively! 

Minister Ritz spoke of a combination of mandatory and incentive-based
traceability and was of the view that traceability will increase the
value to farmers by providing more market access. I spoke to clarify the
two distinct roles of traceability; market access and consumer
protection. I added that consumer protection is a public benefit and
should be paid by the public. I have initiated a brief for Minister Ritz
on how such a program might look. I asked him quite plainly at the
conference that if I could give him a traceability program that would
guarantee benefits back in the hands of farmers instead of being
siphoned off by middlemen and consultants, would he consider it? He
informed me he would "definitely be interested in that." 

Ministers did commit to move forward on a comprehensive national
traceability system for livestock and poultry. 

We also broached the ever important discussion on the environment.
Adverse climate conditions and the need for risk management programs
were on the agenda. When discussing environment, OFA continues to push
for a cap and trade system as a means for farmers to earn revenue using
their own soil and land. 

Minister Blackburn reported on his dealings with food processors and
referenced the Product of Canada labelling issue as part of those
meetings. It was good to hear he is investigating whether or not the
tools we have meet our needs or if there are are new mechanisms required
to access the market and meet the needs of consumers. OFA wants to see a
requirement of 85 per cent Canadian content in any food that is sold
under the Product of Canada label. More than that would nullify the
Product of Canada designation as many required ingredients are not
sourced in Canada. 

I am satisfied that the time at the Federal, Provincial, Territorial
Annual Agriculture Ministers meeting was spent on the issues directly
affecting our members. I am thankful for the opportunity to provide an
Ontario perspective and very appreciative of the Canadian Federation's
efforts to co-ordinate and host the event. The CFA delivered quality
issue presentations leading to results-based discussions. I can also say
the conversations sparked by this conference have perhaps paved the way
to further discussions with Minister Ritz in the future.