Conservative platform needs a long-term, strategic plan

(OTTAWA) – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is welcoming the Conservative Party’s agriculture policy contribution to this election campaign. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper today unveiled his party’s agriculture policy platform in southwestern Ontario.

“Today Stephen Harper said ‘Standing up for Canada means standing up for a strong, vibrant farm sector’. That’s the message farmers and all Canadians need to hear from their leaders,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “The Conservative agriculture policy platform unveiled today contains some goods ideas that farmers can definitely work with.”

CFA, which has always been concerned with the ability of the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization (CAIS) program to address long-term income decline or large-scale income disasters like the BSE crisis or weather-related disasters, is very interested in the Conservative proposal to develop separate income stabilization and disaster relief programs. Of equal importance, Harper recognized the immediate need facing farmers and committed to short-term measures for addressing that need.

“Farmers have complained that CAIS is not responsive so we’re pleased to hear Mr. Harper acknowledge that and pledge to address it, as well as addressing the immediate income crisis facing farmers,” said Friesen. “I would remind him, however, that agriculture is a three-way partnership. If his party forms the next government they must work on developing new programs, not only with provinces, but with farmers and farm organizations as well.”

CFA was pleased to hear Harper rise above partisanship and reference Parliamentary Secretary Wayne Easter in his remarks. CFA is encouraging all parties to set aside partisanship and give consideration to the ideas and recommendations in the Wayne Easter report if they form the next government. Also very welcome, Harper reiterated his party’s support for supply management and developing export markets.

However, CFA is concerned the Conservative agriculture platform lacks a long-term component – a commitment to working with industry in developing long-term, strategic agriculture policy that will address the root causes of the farm income crisis and get farmers once again taking their profit from the marketplace. CFA encourages Harper and his candidates to examine its proposal for APF II – A Canadian Farm Bill.

With regard to the Conservative proposal for a mandated 5 per cent ethanol content in Canadian fuel, CFA once again cautions: this measure will not increase the market for Canadian grains producers if it is not accompanied by policies and incentives that support ethanol production sourced primarily from Canadian product.  CFA is also concerned with the Conservative Party’s proposal to end the Canadian Wheat Board single desk selling policy.

“The single-desk selling policy has been supported year after year in democratic elections by a voting majority of western farmers. I hope, if they form the next government, Mr. Harper and his party will respect that,” said Friesen. “The key to ending the income crisis is farmer empowerment, and the CWB is about farmer empowerment.”

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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.