(OTTAWA) – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is pleased to see significant investments in agriculture in this federal budget.

“Farmers look to the federal budget as an indicator of the awareness the federal government has of the issues facing our industry, and the government’s commitment to addressing those issues,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “I think this budget indicates a good understanding and a real step forward in addressing some of the issues.”

The federal budget contains measures that affirm the creation of more predictable, bankable safety net in a new NISA-like program, invest in the future of agricultural innovation and strategic growth in biofuels, review competition policy and expand the capital gains exemption for farmers.

The federal budget affirms the government’s commitment, announced Friday, March 9, to improving the predictability of agricultural safety nets programs by establishing a contributory accounts-type component and by addressing rising costs with a cost of production component. 

“Of course the devil is always in the details we look forward to working with the government to hammer out how exactly these programs will work,” said Friesen. “And we will need to see other components particularly support for companion programs, regulatory reform and incentive-based environmental programs.”

CFA looks forward to working with the federal government in developing the next generation of agriculture policy as much more work needs to be done to improve farm incomes and create growth in the industry.

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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.