Appeals tribunal hearing an example of why standing up to power and influence on behalf of family farmers means the NFUs work is never done
In a hotel room in Guelph, hearings have been going on that will define the future of pork production in Ontario. If the history of other jurisdictions is any indication, than if the appeal of an ill-conceived decision by the Farm Products Marketing Commission is not upheld then we could very well see the final nail in the coffin of independent family farm pork production in Ontario.
Hearings under the auspices of the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal have been examining the initial decision made by the Farm Products Marketing Commission with its misguided ruling made in the fall of 2008. This decision will basically throw farmers to the wolves by making marketing of pork through Ontario Pork voluntary. A generation ago farmers came together to pool their power in the marketplace by working together and selling their hogs through what is called the ‘single desk’. This single desk was intended to balance the power in the marketplace between the many sellers and the few buyers. Ironically the Farm Products Marketing Commission has this very same mandate, but they seem to have ignored this responsibility to farmers and made a decision without any consultation. Family farmers have paid the price in every jurisdiction where the single desk has been undermined yet this seems to have been lost on the Commission. The hubris of a small number who think they are somehow smarter than all the other farmers that built these systems and went through the experiences that made them necessary is mind-boggling. Mind-boggling and all too predictably saddening knowing the destruction they will leave in their inevitable failed wake.
I was a witness in these hearings in my role as the NFUs Ontario Coordinator. In this elected position I have had the great honour of talking with many pork family farmers across this province who are deeply disturbed by the decision and who have felt abandoned by other farm organizations and those in government entrusted to protect their interests. Sitting in the hearing room after my testimony was done I was struck by the amount of power, influence and let’s be frank, money, lined up against these grassroots farmers.
Hog farmer Rein Minnema has put himself out there appealing this decision and needs to be commended for his courage and willingness to stand up. I was also particularly impressed with Huron County Pork Producers Association President Grant Love’s testimony. Now I don’t know Mr. Love but after listening to his testimony I wish I did. His clear, straightforward testimony was a testament to the sense and intelligence that rests with grassroots farmers across this province. Not only did Mr. Love represent Huron County pork farmers, but also three generations of farmers involved in their organization dating back many years. Mr. Love was clear that at a District Councillors Meeting in 2008 a resolution supporting the Farm Products Marketing Commission Board decision to remove the single desk was soundly defeated. And that other resolutions supporting single desk selling had wide spread support just shy of the procedural two-thirds majority to allow a full and open debate. We would have much better agricultural policy in this province if the Rein Minnema’s and Grant Love’s were treated like the experts they are.
The NFU has been the only farm organization actively supporting grassroots pork farmers on a number of issues including the stripping of the single desk away from farmers and we will continue to work for the interests of all family farmers.
Recently the Ontario Regional Council of the National Farmers Union unanimously passed the following resolution:
Whereas the collective financial well-being of farmers is most effectively achieved by balancing the power of the few buyers with the collective power of the many sellers
And whereas Ontario Pork has been given the authority to market pork by farmers themselves.
Therefore be it resolved that the National Farmers Union Ontario call upon the appropriate government authorities to continue Ontario Pork’s existing marketing authority. Since the marketing authority given Ontario Pork is intended to help balance the power between the many farmers/sellers and the few buyers/processors, the NFU calls for the maintenance of the oversight of direct supply contracts, logistic, scheduling and settlement services.
Therefore be it resolved that paragraph 5(j) in section 5 and section 9 in Regulation 419 be maintained and not revoked.
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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