The Lambton Federation of Agriculture has been a very political organization this winter, joining in the numerous rallies to lobby provincial and federal levels of government.
With spring upon us, tractors are rolling in the fields beginning the planting of crops for the growing season of 2006.Our directors and members participated in meetings and events trying to make a difference. The commodities and general farm organizations have pulled together with the “United Voice” going to government as one.
This message with the support of all farmers should have shown governments how important the farm income crisis is to all sectors of agriculture. Many meetings included local agribusiness to allow them to explain the impact of the difficult financial situation on them. Rural economies depend on the success of agriculture, thus the effect on small business in our area.
The problem is we sell our grains and oilseeds on a world market; we have difficulty competing with the cheaper cost of production in South America, and the subsidies of the United States and the European Union. Canadian farmers provide consumers safe, reliable, high quality food. The Canadian government has maintained a cheap food policy.
Thus, the immediate solution to the current crisis is to support the farmers who feed the country and provide a long term farm policy. This will create a future for young farmers to continue Canadian agriculture for the next generation. Ontario farmers have received a payment on crops from the provincial government based on 2005 crops. It is time for the federal government to assist agriculture. They did not make it a priority in the Throne speech. We need to continue to lobby and force agriculture to come to the forefront.
Sincerely,
~Debbie Coke~
President, Lambton Federation of Agriculture