(OTTAWA) – Canadian farm leaders representing every part of Canada and every commodity sector met in Ottawa this week for the 70th annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) – Canada’s largest farmer’s organization. The discussions held over the week focused on two key priorities: the immediate short term need of Canadian farmers facing a pressing income crisis, and the long-term strategy for achieving profitability.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “A Canadian Farm Bill: Farmers driving the agenda”. The centerpiece of discussions was CFA’s framework proposal “APF II: A Canadian Farm Bill”, the prototype for a new generation of farmer-developed Canadian agriculture policy.

CFA delegates and a number of their members delivered the message about the critical need facing farmers to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Chuck Strahl, who had been invited to address the meeting. Strahl acknowledged the dire situation facing farmers and indicated he is working on a plan for getting further promised assistance to producers. Strahl also recognized the CFA APF II proposal and pledged to work with both the industry and with provinces to develop long-term strategies.

“The Minister faced a room full of farmers who are frustrated and worried about the future of this key industry,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “I believe the Minister clearly understood that concern, and I was pleased to hear him indicate he will address these issues, both short- and long-term, in a timely fashion and in partnership with farmers. I was also pleased to hear the Minister reaffirm that changes to the Canadian Wheat Board will not be on the table for the time being.”

The meetings included informative sessions on a variety of topics. On Friday delegates welcomed two past Agriculture Ministers, Charlie Mayer and Eugene Whelan, and current Senator and advisor to the Prime Minister, Hugh Segal, for a lively panel discussion on the issues that have faced agriculture in the past and what we can learn from them today.  CFA staff briefed CFA members on what was presented at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Outlook Conference, including likely future developments in U.S. agriculture policy. The Canadian Young Farmers Forum presented a youth outlook on the Canadian Farm Bill and the issues they see for the future of agriculture. An open discussion was held on strategies for reaching out to producers at the grassroots level across the country and ensuring their awareness of and participation in the development of APF II. 

Delegates adopted 46 policy resolutions on issues including reforming the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, ensuring Canadian farmers benefit from emerging biofuel industries, defending Canadian trade interests, and ensuring the burden of providing ecological goods and services does not rest solely on the shoulders of Canadian producers.

“This week CFA received a great deal of important input and direction from Canadian farmers, through their regional and commodity representatives,” said Friesen. “CFA will now turn that direction into immediate action on the priorities Canadian producers have identified. In particular CFA will be pushing the federal government hard to address the critical assistance farmers need before they have to make their production decisions for the year.”

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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.