By Alice McFarlane

National business group says farmers will lead an economic recovery

Nov 19, 2020 | 3:27 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Tomorrow will be the first of two virtual meetings for the country’s Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers.

Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said farmers can play a key role in the country’s economic recovery post-pandemic and it’s imperative the ministers focus on policies to benefit the agriculture and agri-food sector.

That is why in advance of the meeting, CFIB sent a letter to the agriculture ministers urging them to focus on policies that will help drive growth in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

CFIB agri-business senior policy analyst Virginia Labbie said the ministers should be dealing with issues that will help farmers.

“We hope the ministers will be discussing policies this week that will improve the bottom line of our producers including finally coming up with some meaningful improvements to Business Risk Management Programs (BRM) after years of review, ” Labbie said.

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In addition to BRM programs, Labbie said natural gas, propane and aviation fuel used for farming activities should be exempt from the federal carbon tax, regulations should be changed to make it easier to sell agri-businesses to family members and there should be improved trade and market access for Canadian agri-food products.

Labbie said a grocery code of conduct should be introduced.

“A number of large grocery store chains have been changing contracts and imposing new fees on small food suppliers. There have been a lot of unfair practices in the grocery industry,” Labbie said. “There is really an unbalanced and unfair power relationship between retailers and suppliers. I think this needs to change. That’s why we joined a number of associations representing the industry calling for a voluntary code of conduct.”

Although statistics paint a more optimistic picture for the agriculture sector, it does not hide the fact that some farms and small businesses were hurt by the pandemic.

Labbie said its important for business groups like CFIB to speak on behalf of farmers.

“I think it helps when the industry is rowing in the same direction and I think there is a lot of consensus on BRM, shortage of labour, and farm transition. These issues not only impact farmers, but they also impact small business owners as well.

CFIB recently sent a letter to all FPT agriculture ministers outlining its farm members’ priorities.

The second virtual FPT agriculture ministers meeting will be held Nov. 27.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF