(OTTAWA) – As MPs prepare to return to Ottawa for the fall session of Parliament, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and its member organizations are launching a Canada-wide postcard campaign to convince the federal government to listen to farmer-developed solutions, explore other options for agricultural safety nets programs, and explore, develop and implement competitive policy.

Starting this week the member organizations of the CFA will begin distributing postcards to farmers. The postcards, addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Agriculture and Agri-Food Miniter Chuck Strahl and to local Members of Parliament, calls on government to work immediately on putting in place competitive policies similar to those of other countries. An electronic version of the postcard as an email is available on the CFA web site.

“Our government leaders need to realize these proposals being put forward by Canadian farm organizations were developed by Canadian farmers who know first-hand what they need from their safety nets programs,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “Through this campaign the grassroots of Canadian agriculture will make its voice heard. Farmers are committed to working in partnership with government to design the policies that affect their livelihoods.”

The front of the postcards says “Solutions from the farm gate” – a message to MPs that Canadian farmers have been working to develop ideas for safety nets programs that meet the real needs of farmers. The message on the back of the card reminds MPs that all Canadian political parties have stated that the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization (CAIS) program does not work for all commodities and regions. The card urges the government to work with farmers to explore a new farmer-developed safety nets proposal which includes exploring a new and improved NISA component for the top tier of CAIS, funding flexibility for provincial companion programs, and policies to make Canadian farmers competitive against high foreign subsidies.

“Competitive policy and strong safety nets programs represent an investment in the long-term strategic growth of the agriculture industry,” said Friesen. 

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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.