MP Gallant Hosts Renfrew County Agriculture Leaders in Cobden

July 26, 2007

Cobden, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, is pleased with the input she received from Renfrew County Agricultural leaders recently at a meeting in Cobden.

“I appreciate the fact that summer is a busy time for our farmers. I thank them for taking time on short notice from their busy schedules to share with me their concerns on behalf of our farmers. I asked Renfrew County Agricultural decision makers to provide me input in preparation for the meeting I will be having with federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl later this summer,” stated MP Cheryl Gallant.

Federal Agriculture Minister, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, recently announced a new vision for the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products industry – Growing Forward. Growing Forward will replace the current Agricultural Policy Framework, which is set to expire in 2008. In the transition, some existing programs will be retained, some modified, some ended, and some new programs introduced. In preparation for the meeting with the Agriculture Minister, and in order to ensure a smooth transition as well as to avoid disruption for program participants and delivery partners, local MP Cheryl Gallant sought direct feedback on what is currently working and not working as well as providing recommendations for Minister Strahl.

“I am pleased to thank Mayor of Whitewater Region Don Rathwell for allowing the use of his municipal hall and bringing greetings from his municipality to the farm representatives. I am pleased to confirm that all county farm groups were well represented at the meeting.”

“Since taking office we have been taking action for farmers and farm families. Our Government has increased the Agricultural funding by $4.5 billion for national programming. However, we recognize that these guiding principles must be observed in the creation of any new national income support programs:

1. A national program must include all commodities.
2. A national program must comply with international trade rules.
3. A national program must be affordable.
4. A national program cannot be market distorting.

We have introduced a national disaster relief program, better production insurance, improved margin-based programming, and created a farmer savings program which includes a cost of production payments,” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.