Canada's governments focus on proactive investments for agriculture

Re Better Farming’s “Ag ministers cut AgriStability funding”, Sept. 15 – Just as farmers constantly review their fertilizer, seed, equipment to make sure their inputs are producing the best results, so too are Governments.
 
While your recent article details the modifications that Governments have made to the next Growing Forward framework, it fails to mention that Governments will continue to cover the vast majority of risk that farmers face. Governments will continue to deliver a complete and effective suite of business risk management programs that will support farmers when they face serious market declines or disasters.
 
Mr. Wales of the Ontario Farmers Association rightly points out that grain farmers are doing well and are relying less on AgriStability. That’s a good thing. Our challenge is to build on this momentum. That’s why our Government is focusing on proactive investments in innovation that will deliver real returns to the farm gate.
 
Take Sevita International, an Ontario soybean exporter that used innovation funding from Growing Forward to respond to Japanese consumer needs and grew from a company of two people to 22, and sales from $4 to $30 million.
 
With increased proactive investments like this under the new Growing Forward agreement, the agriculture value chain will be better positioned for long-term success. All the while, our Government will continue to deliver a complete and effective suite of programs that will support farmers when they face severe market declines or disasters.
 
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz
 

Editor's note: The article quoted Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz as saying governments “will continue to backstop the vast majority of business risk that farmers face to ensure they are protected from serious income declines and disasters. We will be there for farmers when they need us.”