Farmers to PM: Listen to your task force

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2002

(Ottawa) – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is encouraged by the 26 recommendations listed in the interim report of the Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Future Opportunities in Farming.

“The Task Force has clearly listened closely to the needs and concerns of Canadian producers. I hope Mr. Chrétien listens as closely to what his Task Force has to say,” said CFA President Bob Friesen.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien assembled the Task Force one year ago to “look at what action our government can take that will assist our farmers and farming communities for the long term." Since then, the Task Force has held grassroots consultations across the country. The interim report was made public yesterday.

The CFA is particularly pleased the report highlights that future opportunities can only be realized if action is taken today to address short-term challenges.

“The Task Force interim report clearly recognizes recent weather-related disasters and low commodity prices due to high foreign subsidies constitute what it calls a crisis for farm income. They acknowledge the need for immediate bridge funding to help farmers get past these challenges and into the long term,” said Friesen. “Most importantly, this report recognizes the trickle down effect – what happens to our industry has an impact on our rural communities and the economy.”

The release of the Task Force interim report is timely, as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) prepares for the next round of consultations on the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

“The industry is looking now to AAFC Minister Lyle Vanclief. We hope he will build these recommendations into the long-term framework,” said Friesen. “The Task Force recommendations, if implemented, give Canadian producers some of the tools they need to be competitive.”

As the consultations continue and the government considers the Task Force recommendations, CFA stresses that programs and policies addressing the short- and long-term must be done in partnership with industry. “If government policy is to meet the real needs of industry, policy development and approval must work from the bottom up,” said Friesen. “The CFA is committed to working very closely with governments to turn these recommendations into action.”

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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, info@cfafca.ca

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

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