Ontario's New Risk Management Programme
CANADA - Speaking outside the Legislative Chamber at Queen's Park, the leadership of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association and Ontario Pork today applauded the Ontario government's decision to establish a new risk management program (RMP) to give farmers the insurance to protect against market fluctuations beyond their control.
30 March 2011
2 minute read
"Today's announcement is great news for Ontario farmers, rural communities and everyone involved in agriculture and agri-food," said Curtis Royal, President, Ontario Cattlemen's Association and owner of Royal Farms in Simcoe County. "The establishment of a permanent risk management insurance program will give our farmers the tools they need to sustain their operations so they can continue to provide high quality, locally grown food to Ontario consumers," Curtis added.
"The fact that the McGuinty government decided to act during these tough fiscal times and without the participation of the federal government, makes this announcement that much more significant to Ontario farmers," said Wilma Jeffray, Chair of Ontario Pork and a farmer in Bruce County.
Ontario Pork and the Ontario Cattlemen's Association thanked Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell for her unwavering support for RMP and said they looked forward to working with the Minister over the coming months to finalize the program design, including an implementation plan that ensures farmers get the immediate support they require in 2011 from this insurance-based program.
Ontario's beef and pork farmers have made the establishment of the RMP insurance program their top priority and launched an unprecedented campaign to ensure MPPs understood how important this program was to the future success of their industry, the creation of agri-food jobs and Ontario's supply of local food products. This campaign complemented the efforts of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition (OASC) of which both organizations are active participants.
The campaign is also focused on the federal government, requesting them to partner with the industry and Ontario government in establishing the insurance program. The federal government has not yet agreed to participate in this initiative. "We encourage the federal government to follow Ontario's lead and participate in the establishment of this program to ensure Ontario farmers receive all of the benefits and protections a full RMP would provide," said Jeffray.
"Entering into a federal election in the spring, I urge all our members to pressure their federal candidates to commit to supporting Ontario farmers' number one request by funding this program", stated Royal.
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