Evidence of meeting #64 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was farm.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
11:55 a.m.
Prof. Kenneth A. Rosaasen
Do I get any opportunity to respond?
February 5th, 2013 / 11:55 a.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Thanks to all of you for being here.
I'd like to give Stewart and Ian a couple of minutes to maybe comment on some things that Randy said.
Before I do that, I want to say that I have some alarming statistics in front of me. They basically say that since 2007 we've lost over 22,000 medium-sized farms, that they've declined by 13.6%. The fact is, medium-sized farms are facing dramatic decreases. The number of farms with revenues between $100,000 and $250,000 fell by approximately 5,400. I find this alarming as we're moving through the study of the supply chain. I'm wondering if you have any comments on that.
Next, if we have time, if we can have some comments from all of you, I know, Ian, you mentioned the Canada-European Union trade agreement. I've done some research, and I understand it could be detrimental to local procurement, limit the powers of local governments, and increase drug costs. But I've never really heard an analysis from the point of view of the farmer. Can this be a good thing? Is it going to open up more markets? We're dealing with a very protectionist bloc of countries. Are there any advantages for us to go into free trade with Europe from the point of view of the family farm?
Let's start with that, because I want to make sure I get that out of the way, and then I'll give you a chance to respond to Randy.
11:55 a.m.
Farmer, As an Individual
Thank you.
The European free trade deal, as far as we know, has been negotiated behind closed doors. It's very difficult for the public to get any sense of what is going on. Draft copies have been made available through some method or other.
When we read through the draft copies, it appears to us that the lock, the faith-based lock on economic benefit that Randy Hoback has described, is being pushed through these trade agreements. Increased power over plant breeders' rights and plant patents is going to cost every farmer greatly.
In fact, it's already costing farmers, especially in canola. The seed price increases every year. We're looking now at it reaching $50 an acre for canola seed, whereas not too many years ago the seed price would have been in the neighbourhood of $15 to $20 an acre. The amount of extra yield that Randy Hoback wants to point to...his yield comes from—
11:55 a.m.
NDP
11:55 a.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Can you hear me, Ian? I don't have too much time.
In a protectionist European market, what are the advantages? Have farmers been assured that there will be more markets open in regard to exporting what we produce? I haven't really heard. I'm just wondering if you folks on the ground have heard that.
Stewart or Kenneth, maybe you could take that up.
Noon
Farmer, As an Individual
Thanks, Alex.
First, on the numbers of farmers leaving the farms, all of the indicators right now are that this is going to accelerate. Farmers leaving their farms will accelerate because of all the things we've been talking about here today and with the decrease in market power they're seeing.
On the international trade side, we always need to be talking with international partners and with customers, but the international trade agreements that we see at the moment through the WTO, this, and the bilateral agreements are all being driven by the corporate sector and the need to simply increase imports into and exports out of each country in order to enhance their own bottom line.
What we see happening is that we have a trade policy that people want to try to portray as an agriculture policy. As for the trade policy, they just want to increase exports and imports regardless of the effect on farmers. That's what I think we're seeing with these agreements. It's a misreading of these agreements to think that they're designed to try to help Canadian farmers.
Noon
Prof. Kenneth A. Rosaasen
I don't have a lot to add because I think he handled it very well, but I will comment on what Randy said with respect to prices. Prices are positive because of the U.S. drought, because of their ethanol program, and because of other things. It's independent of what happened.
If he wants to know about other people who have received good prices under the Wheat Board fixed price contract, some people I know got over $15 and approaching $20 a bushel under the Wheat Board system when they used a basis contract and followed futures. Some of the people who criticized the Wheat Board didn't even know those opportunities existed. Our farm personally contracted it at the ports at $12 a bushel for No. 1 CWRS, less a basis. It was available. Many people didn't know about or understand it.
Noon
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have some quick questions.
First, Mr. Wells, you used to be the president of the National Farmers Union, correct?
Noon
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Would you be listed now as the past president of that organization?
Noon
Farmer, As an Individual
There is no actual category. There's nothing in the constitution that recognizes a past president. I'm still a member.
Noon
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Okay. Are you currently the chair of the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board?
Noon
Farmer, As an Individual
We have launched previous court actions against the government, starting in 2007—
Noon
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Thank you. I have to stop you because I only have a limited amount of time and I have other questions I want to ask.
I see today that you're listed as being here as an individual. Is that correct, or should you have been listed as a representative of the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board or as a representative of the National Farmers Union? I'm just curious as to whether that's correct.
Noon
Farmer, As an Individual
I'm not aware of how the clerk of your committee determines the name on the invitation. I accepted the invitation as it was given.
Noon
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Okay. Are you here representing yourself as an individual or either of these organizations here today?
Noon
Farmer, As an Individual
The invitation was extended as an individual. That's why I talked about our farm, my grandparents, and our farm history here close to Swift Current.
Noon
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Okay. I just wanted to clarify that.
When you were at the 40th convention of the National Farmers Union, in your outgoing speech as president you made a comment in regard to competition. The quote I have from that speech indicated that you believe it “leads inevitably to domination, indifference and contempt”.
That's referring to competition. Is that accurate? I just need a quick yes or no on that.
