Farmers emerge with renewed resolve, consensus

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2003

(VANCOUVER) - Canada`s farm leaders today wound up four days of intensive meetings in Vancouver, B.C. Representatives of every province and major commodity group met this week for the 67th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA).

Although discussions covered every topic of importance to agriculture, including the environment, animal welfare and biotechnology, the focus was on two key issues : business risk management programs in the Agricultural Policy Framework and the draft paper on trade modalities from WTO Agriculture Committee Chair Stuart Harbinson.

"As a result of our discussions this week, Canadian farmers have two key messages for our federal and provincial governments," stated Bob Friesen, CFA President. "On business risk management programs, the federal government is asking us to trust them that everything will work out ok. Well that's like an insurance company telling you: Don't worry you`re covered. We`ll work out the details later. Well we`re not prepared to wait for our house to burn down to find out if we`re covered."

CFA delegates reiterated their call for the government to drop the April 1 deadline for new programs and continue current programs for one year to allow time to get program details right.

"Our second message is to Canada`s trade negotiators: Canadian farmers have a consensus. We denounce Harbinson's modalities paper and call on them to carry that denunciation into all future negotiations," said Laurent Pellerin, CFA First Vice President.

Elections for CFA's top executive positions were held at this Annual Meeting. President Bob Friesen, First Vice President Laurent Pellerin and Second Vice President Marvin Shauf all returned to their positions for further two-year terms.

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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)