Ontario, Canada
May 3, 2006
Yesterday’s federal budget
announcement of $1.5 billion for agriculture could be the good
news beleaguered grain & oilseed farmers have been waiting for.
While details are still short, Ontario farm leaders are hopeful
to begin working with the provincial and federal governments to
ensure a portion of the allocated funds are part of a long-term
strategy to put Ontario’s grain & oilseed farmers back on solid
footing.
“We commend the Conservative government for acknowledging the
farm income crisis grain & oilseed farmers have been facing,”
says Peter Tuinema, Chair of the Ontario Grain & Oilseed Safety
Net Committee. “This is a critical first step in a partnership
that will lead to a strengthened farm economy and food stability
for Canadians.”
The details of delivery are still unclear, but farm leaders are
hopeful to begin meeting with both the Federal and Provincial
representatives soon to help address the farm income crisis.
“There's a bit of concern that the $1 billion is only a one-year
commitment, but we look forward to working with both levels of
government to meet the needs of a long-term strategy,” says
Tuinema. “We have a very short time frame to ensure a Risk
Management Program is in place for next year, but we’re
encouraged by this announcement and confident we’ll be able to
work out a win for the province, the federal government, and
Ontario’s 29,000 grain & oilseed farmers.”
Ontario Grain & Oilseed Safety Net
Committee
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