Federal election issues for Ontario’s grain industry

GUELPH, ON (August 10, 2015) – With the upcoming election, Grain Farmers of Ontario is looking to the federal government to demonstrate leadership on several key issues that are important to the future of agriculture.

The organization is asking for support in the areas of international trade and market access, risk management policy and programs including a review of the AgriStability program, increased research funding through Growing Forward 3, and support for the bio-economy including increasing the federal renewable diesel mandate to 5% by 2020.

Of particular importance, there is a strong request for the federal government to ensure that regulatory environments and that farmers’ access to new technology is equitable across the country.

“Farmers compete globally and Canada cannot afford to have a patchwork regulatory system that disadvantages one farmer in one part of the country,” says Mark Brock, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We want Canada’s next government to take a leadership role in ensuring a predictable regulatory system for all farmers in Canada that is based on science and gives farmers the tools they need to be competitive.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario will actively share its key issues with politicians as the leadership campaign moves across the province.

“We look forward to collaborative discussions with the candidates throughout this campaign,” says Brock. 

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.

Contact:

Mark Brock, Chair – 519-274-3297; cropper01@hotmail.com

Meghan Burke, Communications – 519 767-2773; mburke@gfo.ca