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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Ernie Hardeman MPP For Immediate Release Where is “Made-in-Ontario” solution for Farmers? QUEEN’S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford and Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, questioned the Minister of Agriculture on why Ontario livestock farmers don’t have a cost of production based business risk management program. “Soon all Alberta beef farmers will have a cost of production business risk management program. Alberta’s Agriculture Minister called it a “made-in-Alberta,” solution,” said Hardeman, during the question to Minister Mitchell.” Minister, when are Ontario livestock farmers going to receive a “made-in-Ontario” solution to help them compete?” The Alberta government recently announced that they were expanding their Cattle Price Insurance Program to include feeder cattle, as well as the finished cattle that were already covered. In Spring 2011 the program will be expanded again to include cow-calf producers. “Ontario producers compete against these farmers and they are at a disadvantage when they are denied similar programs,” said Hardeman. The PC caucus has committed that if elected they would work with agricultural leaders to develop a risk management program based on cost of production. During the question Hardeman pointed out that when the Minister announced the extension of the Grain and Oilseeds program in July she said it was due to grain and oilseed prices being down 25 percent, but that those prices had now rebounded. “Minister, will you commit to using some of the money allocated for grain and oilseeds to create a cost of production business risk management program for livestock farmers who are suffering?” asked Hardeman. - 30 -
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