The latest news on Agricultural issues

Submitted by
Ken Boshcoff M.P.

Last week we talked about a series of current concerns for our local agricultural communities.
I very much appreciate the response I have received so far so I am including some “latest news” and updates on some ongoing issues.
As a Member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture we have just this week called on the government to convene an emergency session. This is to deal primarily with the unbelievable cuts to food safety inspection. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is on the chopping block for considerably reduced funding.
Hopefully you will agree that there are many other areas that could use slimming but to me, food security, is NOT one of them.
Regrettably I must remind everyone that this was not one of the minority government’s election planks so this only confirms the “hidden agenda” by fact.
When the Committee meets in the next few weeks I will also be proposing immediate attention to the dire situation our beef farmers are facing. The Federal Government must come to the table and work out a solution with the provinces and the farmers.
If you are as worried about food prices as I am then you should know that farmers are being hit hard by rising costs of fuel and fertilizer. Sadly our food producers are not seeing profits from the rapid escalation due to expenses such as these. So be kind to our farmers- they are struggling too!
In the western part of the Northwest there are two longstanding unresolved issues. The first is funding from FedNor for the Abattoir Project which should have been in place months ago. Why the Government is holding this up with our short construction season is very unfair. The second is the Federal Government’s promise for drought relief from two summers ago! With all the rain we’ve had it is difficult to remember the parched earth and low water levels, however many farmers were seriously hurt. I have been working to get both the Provincial and Federal governments to agree to a shared funding solution.
In talking to people from Rainy River to Atikokan to Fort Frances to Neebing Township and everywhere in-between I know that food security is a major concern. As I meet with farmers and their organizations I want to assure everyone that there is also their top priority. Remember- “If you ate today then thank a farmer!”
Indeed as we go to press today it has come to my attention that there is a move to designate a “National Food Day” on the first Saturday of August. Please let me know what you think about this!