Federal support for an expanded risk management program is one of the biggest goals for newly-appointed Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin, according to a recent media interview.
That is good News for Ontario farmers and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. We have been working with the Ontario government developing the now permanent program, and want nothing more than the necessary remaining 60 per cent federal support needed to secure a fully-funded program for all farmers.
The federation has been in touch with several other ministers of the new provincial government to address issues that relate to farming, food production and processing. The federation sent letters to relevant ministers to set up meetings and develop a working relationship so it can effectively relay concerns and meet the needs of members as they relate to each ministry.
The federation will work with key ministries on several relevant issues:
– modernize regulations such as the permit to take water, which is currently being reviewed under the open for business initiative with the Ministry of Environment;
– work with the Ministry of Finance to secure proper treatment of on-farm value retention activities as well as proper taxation of value adding enterprises;
– work with the Ministry of Transportation to achieve effective regulation and regulatory enforcement;
– help generate balanced solutions with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, its authority and on-farm activities;
– develop a secure power system with the Ministry of Energy while addressing some on-going concerns and policies
– address activities and interests with the Ministry of Natural Resources that affect day-to-day farm operations, like endangered species habitat protection; and
– work with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing staff on revisions to the Ministry’s Provincial Policy Statement that will retain Ontario’s prime agricultural lands for the production of agriculture
The business of farming crosses many jurisdictions and OFA works on behalf of our members to make sure the voice of agriculture is heard and understood with the many provincial ministries that impact Ontario farmers.
Advocating with ministries to make sure Ontario farmers have the best resources available to operate profitable, productive and secure businesses is important. And those businesses are at the heart of producing safe, nutritious food for all Ontarians.
Bette Jean Crews is president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
