For immediate release
May 28, 2008

STILL NO SUPPORT FOR ONTARIO POTATO FARMERS

QUEEN’S PARK – Today during a statement in the Ontario Legislature Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP and PC Critic for Agriculture and Food, pointed out that after nine months potato farmers are still waiting for government help to deal with losses from the disastrous 2007 drought.

“Last summer Ontario potato growers experienced the longest drought since records have been kept,” said Hardeman. “Ontario’s potato farmers need help. Existing programs aren’t enough to help them cover these huge losses.”

During the summer of 2007 potato crop yields were dramatically reduced by the lack of rain as well as high nighttime temperatures which reduced dew. The drought affected approximately 30,000 acres of potatoes.

 According to Ontario Potato Board statistics the marketable average yield dropped from 190 cwt/acre to 86 cwt/acre in the drought affected areas with some farmers reporting yields as low as 32 cwt/acre. The average loss per acre is estimated at over $2000.

“I want to commend Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey, for raising awareness of the huge losses suffered by the potato farmers many of whom farm in his riding and holding the government to account,” said Hardeman. 

Since August 2007 the Ontario Potato Board has met with representatives from OMAFRA, Agricorp and repeatedly asked the government, including the Minister of Agriculture and the Premier, for assistance to help potato farmers recover from the drought. However to date the government has not committed to any new support to address the disastrous drought.

“It is spring – planting time – and unless Ontario’s Potato Farmers get help, they will become the latest people that the McGuinty government has forced out of farming,” said Hardeman.

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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239

 

Members’ Statement

Mr. Speaker, last summer Ontario potato growers experienced the longest drought since records have been kept. Streams and ponds dried up. The potato crop was devastated. The drought affected approximately 30,000 acres of potatoes and those farmers lost an average of more than $2000 an acre.

For these farmers this was a natural disaster. They didn’t cause it, they couldn’t control it and they shouldn’t suffer for it. But when they turned to their government for help – asking for an adhoc payment to help them keep farming – they got lots of talk but no action.

Ontario’s potato farmers need help. Existing programs aren’t enough to help them cover these huge losses. They have been struggling to keep up with their mortgages and to find money to plant this year’s crop.

The companies that depend on quality Ontario potatoes are also at risk.

The potato board began discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricorp in August – nine long months ago – but so far there has been no support for potato farmers.

Dave Mackenzie and the Potato Board have done the right things. They are working with their local MPP Jim Wilson. They tried to work with the Ministry. They put forward fair proposals. They sent letters to the Minister and the Premier asking for help. And the McGuinty government has done nothing.

These farmers have been more than patient. They have been struggling to make ends meet while they waited for the government, but now the situation is urgent.

It is spring – planting time – and Ontario’s Potato farmers need help otherwise they are going to become the latest people that the McGuinty government has forced out of farming.