Province extends grains and oilseeds risk management program

Friday, July 30, 2010

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Ontario grain and oilseeds’ farmers risk management pilot project is getting a reprieve, for now.

Friday morning, Ontario Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell announced that the expired program, begun in 2007, would be extended to the 2010 crop year. She made the announcement in front of a grain elevator on the farm of Larry Cowan, Middlesex County.

The Ontario agriculture ministry’s website says prices for grains and oilseeds have dropped more than 25 per cent this year “significantly below the cost of production.” The ministry announcement says: "Participation in the extended program is open to farmers who received assistance in 2008 and/or in 2009, as well as those who began farming on or after January 1, 2008. "

In a press release from Grain Farmers of Ontario, representing wheat, corn and soybean producers, Leo Guilbeault says “RMP is a simple cost effective solution to a complex problem that works.” Essex County farmer Guilbeault is the chair of Ontario Grains & Oilseeds, which also represents white and coloured bean producers, canola growers and seed corn producers.

“Without the Ontario government’s leadership through RMP,” Guilbeault added in the press release, “we would be losing farms and losing important food production that helps employ 40,000 Ontarians.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario chair Don Kenny was similarly supportive. “”RMP stands out as an example of how great things can be achieved when industry and government work together, sharing the risks, and sharing the rewards.”

Former Ontario Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky announced the pilot project in July, 2007. The province was never able to get the federal government to take part. Today’s agriculture ministry announcement says: “Building on discussions at the recent meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture earlier this month, Ontario will continue to encourage the federal government to work with Ontario farmers to develop stable, predictable, bankable programs that support all agricultural sectors.” BF