The Canadian Federation of Agriculture wants politicians to take the lead on several policy issues that could improve profitability of farmers and better position the sector for the future as the fall session of Parliament began this week.
A vital part of Canada’s economic engine, the farm sector generates approximately eight per cent of GDP and provides one in eight jobs, the CFA reminded parliamentarians in a release.
“International trade, food safety, environmental concerns, transportation issues, and rural policy: all are inextricably tied to the future success of the agriculture industry. And the Canadian Federation of Agriculture believes there are clear, practical ways in each of these areas to advance the profitability of our farms.”
As officials of all parties have noted, a sustainable agriculture sector is integral to building healthy communities — in rural and urban Canada, it says.
“The CFA stresses the need for government to engage with farmers in a range of discussions that will affect our diverse industry,” said CFA President Ron Bonnett.
“We encourage parliamentarians to work with farm groups as the House of Commons and Senate fall sessions begin.”
The CFA said ongoing multilateral trade negotiations as well as bilateral discussions could open new markets for Canadian farm products, but reiterated its position “that farmers of one commodity should not be positioned to benefit in a way that is detrimental to farmers of other commodities.”
Also on the CFA agenda is consultations on safety regulations for imported food, a widely supported call for a review of railway grain shipping rates, discussions over the next generation of farm support programs, facilitating the next generation of farmers and the CFA-led National Food Strategy.
“The NFS will identify key opportunities such as growing markets for local food, enhanced market access for exported commodities and positioning Canadian product as the preferred product in consumers minds. Developing a comprehensive strategy to seize these opportunities we lead to increased profitability at the farm level.”
The federation is also calling for the adoption of a Canadian Co-operative Investment Plan, applied to federal income taxes, to spur capital investment in rural development, innovation and improving agricultural incomes. The CIP is a 125 per cent tax deduction granted to members and employees who invest in their co-operative’s preferred shares.
