Farmers left hanging
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2003
(OTTAWA) - The April 1 "deadline" for implementation of the Agriculture Policy Framework has passed and Canadian farmers are still waiting for answers.
"A unified agriculture industry called on the Minister to drop the April 1 deadline and extend 2002 safety nets programs for one year. There has been no announcement and now apparently we're just 'sliding'," said Bob Friesen, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA).
The current climate of uncertainty over business risk management (BRM) programs is already beginning to affect farmers. Producers are uncertain what's happening, bankers more so - and this at a time when certainty is needed.
"Producers are in limbo right now, and it's unacceptable," said Friesen. "We are very disappointed that, after so much consultation, the government was unable by the deadline to commit to the three pillars of supply management, to commit to provincial companion programs for the five-year duration, and to demonstrate that government programs represent a real improvement over existing programs. And having failed to do so, the government will not now give the time needed to get it right."
CFA is even more appalled the Minister has reneged on a commitment made to the CFA Executive last week to provide a full independent analysis of 2002 safety nets programs, proposed government BRM programs and the industry program proposal. While CFA supports the third parties - the George Morris Centre and Nancy Brown-Andison - selected to conduct the analysis, the government plan has changed.
CFA is asking why, if the Minister is certain the government programs will work, he will not submit them to an in-depth analysis that answers farmers' questions. The third parties will now assess only existing analysis conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on its own proposals to determine if they measure up to the spirit of the Halifax framework agreement, rather than to conduct a full analysis on how they would actually perform on the farm. "The terms of reference for this analysis will not allow for new research, and new research is necessary to answer the pressing questions farmers have about these programs," stated Friesen.
"Our goal should be the same: to build effective programs that will meet producers' needs for the long-term," added Friesen. "Industry continues to call for a one year extension of 2002 programs. Let's give the process the time it needs, and let's give all the ideas on the table a fair examination."
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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)
