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| OVSGA writes to Vanclief - Supports growers hit by double whammy February 16, 2001 Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 930 Carling Ave., Ottawa Fax: 759-1081 Mr. Vanclief; As president of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, I would like to add our collective voice to those now calling for immediate and adequate relief for Eastern Ontario farmers suffering under the combined burden of low commodity prices and high input costs, compounded by poor weather and inflated international subsidies. Farmers and agri-businesses in our region have staged four mass rallies since the late fall - Alexandria, Ottawa, Embrun and Cornwall - and have a fifth planned for Winchester Feb. 22. As you know, farmers do not resort to such dramatic action unless conditions are getting desperate. Our association's board of directors is entirely made up of farmers, many specializing in grains and oilseeds. They understand the situation as well as anybody and better than most. They know that some farmers do not have enough cash flow to put a crop in the ground this season and others are bordering on bankruptcy. Our sponsorship at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa for the past 74 years of Ontario's longest running agricultural trade show - The Ottawa Valley Farm Show, March 14-16 - also gives us tremendous insight into the ongoing pressures affecting farmers and farm-related businesses. We have listened with interest to your comments suggesting the federal government has more important priorities at the moment than assigning more support to farmers. What can be more important than guaranteeing that Canadian consumers continue to enjoy the benefits of a healthy, safe, economical and plentiful food production and distribution system? We understand that various polls have shown that most Canadians favour additional funding to help farmers through the current cash crisis. With that in mind, we join Ontario farmers in calling on you to forward the federal share of the $300 million previously promised, and to prevail upon the province to provide its share. Following that, we urge you to restructure existing support programs to better reflect the true financial needs of farmers trying to make ends meet in the current global environment. Yours truly Original signed by: Ed Findlay, President cc. OMAFRA Minister Brian Coburn, Eastern Ontario news media. Posted: Monday, February 19, 2001 |