Ottawa, ON – Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior) NDP Agriculture Critic, says it’s time for the government to get their priorities right. “Instead of substantially addressing the farm income crisis affecting so many other sectors the government has chosen to undermine the grain industry, one of the few sectors that is doing just fine,” accused Atamanenko in response to the federal budget.
The New Democrat agriculture critic was highly critical of the Conservative priority to provide so called ‘marketing choice’ to barley and wheat producers when outlining their plans for the Canadian Wheat Board and the Canada Grain Commission. “The US grain companies will be the ones most thrilled with the government’s moves because in the absence of the CWB they would waste no time in replacing Canadian wheat, durum and barley in our export markets.”
“The majority of prairie grain farmers, who understand the value of a strong Canada Grain Commission and the CWB’s single desk monopoly, would prefer the government keep its interference to a minimum.”
According to Atamanenko there was no commitment towards the National Food Strategy that farmers and consumers are increasingly calling for. “This is especially disappointing considering the US has developed a comprehensive Healthy Food Financing Initiative to create market opportunities for their farmers while simultaneously providing more nutritious and affordable food for its citizens,” stated Atamenko. “I would like to have seen much more in the budget to nurture the local food movement that is gaining in strength as Canadians try to do more to reduce the environment footprint, support farmers and eat healthier food.”
Atamanenko noted there was nothing that would address the dire situation facing apple and cherry growers in BC who have lost so much money due to the continued dumping by the US allowed under NAFTA that they are now considering marketing boards. “The emphasis of the budget is market access and trade even though this single minded pursuit has repeatedly and consistently failed to provide a stable business environment for our farmers,” stated Atamanenko.
According to the NDP Agriculture critic, cattle producers have been making less than half of what they made 20 years ago for quite some time even though for the most part exports have tripled. “While the budget has given some attention to new technology and cattle processing ($35million) it is not clear whether any of the $40 million slated for Specified Risk Material (SRM) will help cover the $31.70/head that our cattle producers must pay, which US farmers do not, in order to comply with Canada’s SRM standards.”
Atamanenko says the government seems oblivious to the fact that farm income programs are still failing to be bankable and responsive. Farm leaders are predicting that thousands of Ontario farmers will exit agriculture in the coming years, putting the local food supply in jeopardy. In spite of this, the federal government refuses to step up to the plate for the Risk Management Program that the province is willing to support and that farmers desperately need.
“All in all, what is clearly indicated in this budget is that the Conservatives determination to stay the course with these failed policies and lack of vision will ensure the number of family farms continue to decline.” concluded Atamanenko.
Tags: food security