Agriculture Leaders Debate puts Agriculture and Food on the National Stage

OTTAWA - The winner of the National Agriculture Debate held today in Ottawa and hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, is clearly the farmer.  The panel's answers to questions surrounding bankable business risk management programs, food safety, ecological goods and services, trade, young farmers and research and development  will help farmers make an informed choice when they head to the polls May 2. 

 
 The CFA extends its thanks to the Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz and the agriculture critics and representatives from opposition parties, Wayne Easter (Liberal Party), André Bellavance (Bloc Québecois), Pat Martin (NDP) and Kate Storey (Green Party) for leaving their constituencies to address key issues important to farmers across Canada. Moderating the event was Hugh Maynard, well-known agricultural journalist and Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation. 

"The CFA and its members are extremely pleased to see food and agriculture on the radar of party platforms. We hope this is a sincere recognition of agriculture as an economic driver and social backbone of our country," said CFA President, Ron Bonnett.

 "We were also pleased to hear several of the panelists acknowledge the need for a National Food Strategy, a long-term plan for food and agriculture in Canada. The CFA has been developing a food strategy in partnership with key players along the food chain. We encourage all parties to work with the CFA and all levels of the food chain to define the future of agriculture and agri-food policy and programs," added Bonnett.

The CFA will continue to follow the election campaign closely, assessing each party's plan for Canadian agriculture.

> The debate is available for replay on the CFA website, and will also be aired on CPAC (time tbd).

> View the election demands from Canadian farmers here: Cast a vote for your food, your farmer.