Farmers welcome federal commitmentsMinisters Vanclief, Anderson address farm leaders
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2002
HALIFAX- The message is beginning to get through. That was the general feeling of delegates to the annual meeting of Canada’s largest farm organization after hearing from two key federal cabinet ministers last week -- Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief and Environment Canada Minister David Anderson
Discussing the agricultural policy framework (APF), Minister Vanclief told CFA delegates, “Now as we move forward in partnership with the provinces and territories and the sector and all Canadians, the active participation of key industry stakeholders, particularly farm organizations, will be even more critical.”
“Industry must be an active participant, not just consulted, in developing any policy framework, “said Bob Friesen, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). “We are happy to have the Minister’s commitment to this, as well as his assurances that no final decisions have yet been made on program details within the APF.”
“This year’s theme – Cultivating the Future of Agriculture – reflects the CFA approach to develop a long-term policy for the agri-food sector,” said Friesen. “There is much that is commendable in Minister Vanclief’s proposals for a long-term policy stressing food safety, innovation, environmental stewardship and risk management. However, farms and farming must be profitable to make it work. That requires short-term funding. The CFA members stated very clearly that the pressures created by the drought and by continued levels of high subsidies in other countries must be addressed to enhance chances of success for any long-term agricultural policy.”
Vanclief stated that he is speaking out for agriculture in caucus, and is reminding them of the importance of the sector in Canada, and of the challenges currently facing producers. He challenged his cabinet colleagues representing other industry sectors to match the record of achievement set by agriculture in recent years
Delegates also had the opportunity to question Bob Speller, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Future Opportunities in Agriculture, Charles Hubbard, Chair of the Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture, and Senator Jim Tunney of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture on how their work fits into the APF. All three bodies have also been holding consultations with the agri-food industry across the country over the past year.
The address from Environment Minister David Anderson also offered some encouragement. On Bill C-5 – the Species at Risk Act – Anderson told farmers that the government has made the choice to “put cooperation and stewardship first” and to emphasize voluntary conservation measures.
“We were glad to hear the Minister say that he has already begun work on compensation regulations,” said Bob Friesen. “We would like to hear some more on this before the legislation goes before the House.”
Minister Anderson indicated that the government will have to be sensitive to the extra challenges facing producers as they become involved in environmental programs and management practices.
The CFA Annual Meeting also attracted international speakers. Bob Stallman, President of the U.S. Farm Bureau, and Risto Volanen, General Secretary of the European group COPA, spoke about farm policies and government support for agriculture in their own countries.
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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)
