Task Force hits the nail on the head
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2002
(OTTAWA) - Once again Canadian farmers are pleased with the work of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Future Opportunities in Farming. The Task Force final report, released yesterday, accurately reflects producer concerns and makes excellent recommendations.
“The Task Force has recognized farmers are concerned about the delivery of federal transition funding, and are anxious that the proposals being presented on safety nets are unworkable and are designed to meet government interests, not the needs of farmers,” said Bob Friesen, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). “Most importantly, the Task Force recognized the importance of maintaining a good working relationship between producers and government. The report properly states the danger of harming this relationship if these concerns are not addressed.”
CFA supports the recommendations made in the Task Force final report. In particular, CFA agrees that: financial sustainability must be ensured through safety nets programs that meet the needs of farmers; Canadian trade negotiators must vigorously pursue the elimination of trade-distorting subsidies and the protection of orderly marketing systems; the next federal budget should contain measures for promoting sustainable agriculture, including the development of alternative energy sources like bio-fuels; the tax code must be amended to facilitate inter-generational farm transfers, and; a regular review process must be established for the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) to ensure it is meeting the needs of farmers.
“Perhaps the most important aspect of these recommendations is their recognition of two important facts: Firstly, these issues don’t just impact the agri-food industry. They impact the entire Canadian rural economy. A successful industry is necessary for a sustainable rural community. Secondly, government action must not be confined to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Good agriculture policy must involve, must build crosswalks between, all relevant government departments,” stated Friesen.
“The Prime Minister’s Task Force has accurately gauged the concerns and needs of Canadian producers. The government must carefully read this report and heed the recommendations it contains. The federal and provincial ministers should keep this report in mind when they meet next week to discuss the APF.”
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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)
