Building on the frameworkCFA hosts second tri-partite roundtable discussion

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2002

(TORONTO) - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) hosted its second roundtable discussion yesterday, bringing together industry, federal and provincial government agriculture ministers and officials for discussions on the future of agriculture in Canada

"It is important, as our federal and provincial governments develop short- and long-term measures for agriculture, that farmers are involved in every step of the discussions," said Bob Friesen, President of the CFA. "Full participation, not just consultation, is necessary if we are to build the best possible policy solutions to meet the needs of Canadian producers."

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief, who attended yesterday's roundtable session, will meet his provincial colleagues today to build upon the action plan established in Whitehorse in June, 2001. In its recent budget, the federal government committed to financially supporting long-term measures agreed upon by the ministers in their policy-building.

"Canadian producers met government representatives to offer input on addressing current needs, and on the next steps in moving to a long-term approach to agriculture," said Friesen. "There was a commitment made by all participants to continue this essential government-industry partnership."

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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.

Contact:

Kieran Green,
CFA Communications Coordinator, (613) 236-3633, mailto:kieran@cfafca.ca

Bob Friesen,
CFA President, (204) 724-0824 (cell)

Brigid Rivoire,
CFA Executive Director, (613) 236-3633 / (613) 715-3113 (cell)