For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2011
Simcoe – Farmers across Ontario deserve the backing of government through risk management programming.
That according to Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett following the annual meeting of the Haldimand Cattlemen’s Association where area farmers stressed the need to widen the range of crops and livestock covered in the province’s risk management program (RMP).
“Over the past year farmers and we in Opposition have made numerous attempts to make government understand the importance of risk management when it comes to the paper thin margins many producers face on a year-to-year basis,” stated Barrett. “While cash-crop has seen RMP extended one year, our hog, beef and fruit and vegetable farmers are still left out in the cold.”
Last June, the McGuinty Government defeated a resolution submitted by PC Opposition MPP Jim Wilson to establish a business risk management program for Ontario farmers.
“RMP has given eligible farmers the ability to insure against market prices falling below production costs – it’s disappointing to see government miss opportunities to extend this security to those farmers currently shut out,” Barrett concluded. “Farmers need Ontario as much as Ontario needs farmers – after years of being largely ignored, its time for renewed focus and action to stabilize growth for both.”
– 30 –
For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629