5 resolutions for the new year
The switch between the old year and the new one is traditionally a time when we look back on what has happened and then look forward to see what we might do to better handle some of those things. In that vein I offer 5 resolutions, in no particular order, that government, farmers, and eaters might do to improve the way our food system works and how we might better support those who grow our food.
- Set standards that all food sold in Canada must meet. These standards would apply to food safety, environmental regulations, labour practices and the health and safety of those who produce and process the food. For far too long we have placed reasonable regulations on farmers and processors to meet societal standards, then we let food into the country that does not meet these standards. This nonsensical approach is made worse by government and so-called experts then castigating farmers for not being competitive enough. We create these rules for mostly good reasons, why should we then allow a double standard for food not grown in Canada.
- Recognize that the family farm is the cornerstone of feeding this country. This recognition should include designing farm programs and policy from the ground up that starts with the fundamental premise that if it is not good for family farmers, it is not workable.
- Open the books on who has been receiving government ‘assistance’. All too often government makes big fancy announcements that they are providing help to farmers. They do this because a great number of urban people support farmers and think they are important. However, we farmers know that very little of this money gets to the farm gate. It has to be going somewhere – so let’s find out who is receiving it so that we can design programs that work for farmers.
- Quit treating urban dwellers like they are the ‘enemy’. I have met a great many people from large urban centres who care more about farmers and understand many of the issues we are facing better than many of your own neighbours. These people not only eat the food we grow, they are our allies.
- Stop thinking of farmers as dumb hicks. This was never true, but with today’s farmers it is even less true. A modern farmer is an expert on everything from soils to animal health, to computers, to being a mechanic and so much more. Yet we act as if farmers are somehow not very smart. This is the same way we look down on other folk who also work with their hands like plumbers, electricians and carpenters, just to name a few. We folks who work with our hands and our brains contribute as much or more to society as political insiders and consultants, but while they receive a billion dollars in just one government program farmers are having to make ends meet by working two full time jobs on the farm and off. Let’s get our priorities straight.
Grant Robertson is the senior elected official with the National Farmers Union-Ontario. As Ontario Coordinator Robertson is also a National Board Member of the NFU. Grant and his family farm near Paisley, Ontario. The author can be contacted at coordinator@nfuontario.ca
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