Good morning. My name is Mary Robinson, and I am a member of the sixth generation of my family to farm here on Prince Edward Island. We farm potatoes, soybeans, grain, and hay. I'm also currently the president of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture. With me today is Robert Godfrey, our executive director.
We want to thank you for this opportunity to present today here in Charlottetown. We understand this committee has been meeting with folks in cities all across Canada to hear the issues on this topic, and we appreciate being included in the effort.
The PEIFA is the province's largest general farm organization, representing the interests of 80% to 85% of farms across the province. We have approximately 600 farm members, as well as 15 different commodity organizations, ranging from cattle and dairy producers, to potato and strawberry growers, to fur breeders and honey producers. We have great diversity, and with this great diversity in membership comes diversity in the context of trade agreements. We represent both offensive and defensive interests, much like the federal Government of Canada.