AGgrowth Coalition calls on government to step up for export-dependent farmers

(Kara Oosterhuis/RealAgriculture)

Canada’s 11,000 dairy farmers are getting a pay out from the government over trade deal concessions, and America’s farmers have seen not one, but two government payments — but what about Canada’s 100,000 export dependent farmers impacted by global trade disruptions?

The AGgrowth Coalition, an umbrella group representing export-dependent farmers, is calling on the federal government to expand its support of farmers beyond the supply managed sectors, and supporting the farmers responsible for $62 billion in farm cash receipts, though comes short of asking for an ad hoc pay out.

“The government of Canada needs to stand up for farmers facing this critical situation created by geopolitical decisions and market risks outside of their control,” says Jeff Nielsen, co-chair of the AGgrowth Coalition.

Nielsen joined RealAg Radio show host Shaun Haney to talk about issues with AgriStability, reforms for business risk management programs, and the need for immediate action on international trade issues. (story continues below player)

“Equitable treatment is expected and reasonable. This isn’t about dividing farmers, this is about consistency in policy and the need to protect and support agriculture as a whole,” says Markus Haerle, AGgrowth co-chair.

Nielsen says the AGgrowth Coalition is pursuing meetings with the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, Marie Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr, and the Leader of the Opposition, The Honourable Andrew Scheer, to raise the need for a commitment of support for all the farmers represented by the Coalition.

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