Your food, your farmer should be a priority in party platforms

OTTAWA - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture and its members are calling on all parties to make agriculture a platform priority during the 2011 federal election campaign. 

"More than ever, agriculture and food have been in the spotlight as the global community recognizes the importance in ensuring the growth and sustainability of this essential sector," said Ron Bonnett, CFA President. "When Canadian farmers head to the polls May 2, they will be voting for the party that best reflects the needs of the agricultural sector and the opportunities in turning the sector into a world leader and a top place for investment." 

Bonnett further added that Canada needs to remain "competitive on the international stage while ensuring profitability at the farm gate. Canadian farmers are entrepreneurs, constantly looking for ways to reduce costs and enhance productivity, but can only go so far when dealing with international markets. Proper allocation of funds and forward-thinking policies, such as support for the development of a comprehensive National Food Strategy, are needed from the federal government in order to help drive the agricultural industry ahead of the curve." 
Bonnet continued, "Governments need to include farm groups in the decision and program design process. Whether it's setting research agendas, designing next generation BRM or setting proper food safety protocols, farmers' organizations must be engaged." 

Farm families across Canada -200,000 strong - are a large part of the rural vote. They will be following the campaign closely and insisting parties include the following in their platform policies: 

National Food Strategy: 

Agricultural policy must be developed within the context of a long-term plan, a National Food Strategy, implemented in partnership with industry, government and consumers. (See nationalfoodstrategy.ca) 

Business Risk Management and Rural Policy: 

The Growing Forward II consultations and implementation must be dependable and not result in gaps in programming during the transition, as in the past. This framework is not set to take effect until April 1, 2013, and some of the changes that are necessary cannot wait that long. The CFA and its members have outlined short, mid and long-term essential for a bankable and predictable suite of programs and policies.

Research and Innovation: 

A commitment must be made to invest in agricultural research, restoring funding level for agricultural research to at least the mid-1990 levels as an essential component to a globally-competitive agricultural sector. AAFC has seen their total funding cut 42% from an average of $4.5 billion between 2004-2008 to $2.57 billion for 2011-2012.  If even a fraction of this savings was reinvested into agricultural research and innovation, Canadian agriculture would be well situated for another 20 years of growth.   Candidates and parties should articulate a clear plan on how their government will revitalize agricultural R&D. 

Grains and Oilseeds: 

Given the considerable controversy regarding the selection of government appointees to the Board of Directors of the CWB, the producer-elected board members must be allowed to provide a roster of names from which the government can select an appointment. 

Ecological Good and Services: 

Candidates need to increase their support for programs that strengthen and enhance sustainable practices, including a strong, well-funded national program of Environmental Farm Plans and a cap-and-trade system that allows carbon offsets to be produced and sold by farmers.  

Food Safety: 

As of today, 19 national commodity groups, representing 99% of production, have developed or are developing HACCP-based, auditable national on-farm food safety programs for their producers. However, this carries a large capital cost for individual farmers. These initiatives, which benefit the public good, must be mitigated by government support and public funds.  

> To view CFA's full list of election demands, please download our election key message kit, Cast a vote for your food, your farmer. 
 

> Please note CFA will host a National Agriculture Leader's debate with Agriculture Minister Ritz and the agricultural critics from opposition parties. The event will take place Monday, April 11 from 11-1 at the Château Laurier. Media and observers are welcomed to attend. The event can also be viewed live by podcast at www.cfa-fca.ca.  Please contact communications@cfafca.ca with any questions.