(<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />OTTAWA) -  Speaking on behalf of all its members, representing over 200,000 producers in every province, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is expressing strong disappointment with all ten provincial governments. In a joint statement today the provinces refused to join the federal government and commit immediate funding to help farmers in the current income crisis.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

“We are continually told agriculture is a three-way partnership: federal, provincial and industry. Farmers have given up significant equity. The federal government has laid down a significant amount. Now where are the provinces?” asked Bob Friesen, CFA President.

CFA has calculated there was a $1.9 billion shortfall in farm income in 2004, and called on governments to step up and fill the gap while the industry seeks long-term solutions to transform itself and once again find profitability in the marketplace. This week the federal government committed $1 billion. CFA asked the provinces to step forward and account for at least part of the remaining $0.9 billion.

“There is no question the provinces have already committed unprecedented resources to the agriculture industry. So have farmers and so has the federal government,” said Friesen. “The federal government has recognized there is an immediate crisis, and therefore a need to go a step further beyond what has already been done. So the question to provinces is: Are you willing to go a step further to support your agriculture industry? Are you in this partnership or not?”