CFA election debate showcases importance of agriculture

(OTTAWA) - Canadian farmers are the clear winners of a national agriculture debate held Monday in Ottawa, hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA).

The CFA extends its thanks to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the agriculture representatives from the Liberal Party, the NDP and the Green Party for a thought-provoking and substantive debate on the broad range of issues facing agriculture today.

The debate, organized in partnership with the Canadian Public Access Channel (CPAC), featured Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter, Green Party agriculture critic Kate Storey, and NDP representative Tony Martin.

Unfortunately, the Bloc Quebecois was unable to send a party representative. Moderating the debate was Hugh Maynard, well-known agricultural journalist and Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation.

'CFA members are grateful to debate participants for joining us in a comprehensive discussion of agricultural policy,' said Laurent Pellerin, CFA 1st Vice President.

'The ideas exchanged in this debate will help farmers across the country make an  informed decision about who they want to form their next government. Events such as this debate also help solidify the relationship between duly elected farm organizations and federal parties.'

'Farmers across Canada were most appreciative that candidates made the time to be part of the debate, and present their party's views on trade, marketing stuctures, business risk management, environmental stewardship, food safety, and food labelling,'
said Ron Bonnett, CFA 2nd Vice President.

For farmers who could not attend or watch the debate, be sure to visit  the CPAC website to download the broadcast: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&lang=e&clipID=1969.

Also, note that CPAC will air the broadcast several more times during the election campaign. Check the CPAC schedule on their web site for dates and times: www.cpac.ca

While appreciating the agriculture platforms announced by parties to date, CFA is building on the debate by asking party leaders to formally sign the following declaration supporting and recognizing the contribution the agriculture industry makes to Canada.

A Declaration in Support of Maintaining and Strengthening Canadian Agriculture

WHEREAS agriculture and farmers are basic to feeding the world;

AND WHEREAS countries have the basic right to assure the food security of their citizens and the duty to provide fair treatment to those who produce the food;

I, the undersigned, ______________________________________declare:
that my party supports and recognizes:

• that an independent, sustainable and viable home-grown food supply is the cornerstone of Canada's economy;
• the need for government to continue its ongoing enabling role to fund industry-led initiatives that benefit the public good such as food safety programs and ecological goods and services;
• the need to invest and address issues in the infrastructure that currently impede competitive growth within the industry such as transportation, research, and tax  issues;
• the need to maintain Canada's ability to operate orderly marketing systems and  that farmers alone are responsible for the development of these marketing tools; and
• the legitimacy of duly elected farm organizations to work collectively with government in the development of agriculture policy.
  

About the Canadian Federation of Agriculture

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, national and inter-provincial commodity organizations, and cooperatives from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 225,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.