News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2004

(OTTAWA) - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) congratulates all the successful candidates in this week’s federal election. CFA looks forward to working with all parties, both government and opposition.

“With this minority government it is more important than ever that all political parties be engaged with industry groups, working together to build policies that create a climate of success for one of Canada’s most important industries,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “Farmer’s issues were not well addressed during the election. With the challenges facing the industry, it is critical this government not waste any time in addressing them now the election is over. And all parties must be particularly careful not to allow the politics of minority government to interfere with timely action on these issues.”

During the election CFA released a policy booklet that highlighted key issues, including: restoring farm profitability, creating new global trade rules that end trade inequities and permit Canada to maintain important domestic structures like supply management, recognizing and supporting farmer-led food safety and environmental initiatives, and ensuring government regulations do not impede the competitiveness of Canadian farmers.

CFA calls on the Prime Minister to take the first step in addressing these issues by naming a new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food at the earliest possible opportunity.

“The previous Minister laid some important foundations – for example his work on the Task Force on Future Opportunities in Farming, his amendments to the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization Program (CAISP), and his efforts to reopen borders to Canadian beef,” said Friesen. “The agriculture industry needs a new Minister to pick up and continue building on the foundations Mr. Speller laid as soon as possible.”

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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.