MARCH 8, 2001
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
OF SASKATCHEWAN STRUCTURE UNDEMOCRATIC
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask.--"There is a growing consensus among Saskatchewan farmers that the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan should take a second look at its organizational structure. The structure is flawed, and these flaws will severely limit its ability to effectively represent farmers, or even to survive as an organization over the long term. For 30 years the NFU has encouraged farmers to get involved in farm organizations, but the APAS structure is very awkward," said NFU Board member Stewart Wells.
Wells outlined some of the problems with the APAS structure: "With the APAS, you have no choice of whether you 'join.' Worse, you cannot get your money back--as you can from other farm organizations that use checkoffs. Further, even after you are forced to pay, you cannot directly attend meetings and make policy--that is left to one or two delegates from each RM. Worst of all, even after paying your money with no way of getting it back, you, as a farmer, are not a member of APAS--only RMs are members."
The APAS organization collects money from RMs under Article 253 of the RM Act. This states: "The council may make expenditures of any moneys as may be required to meet the cost of: membership in any organization." Wells noted: "If the RMs argue that farmers are members, and not the RMs, then participating RMs are in violation of their Act."
In addition, APAS will be directly tied to government. "The APAS, like SARM, draws its funding from Rural Municipalities--the third level of government. Farmers should consider whether they want their farm organizations tied so closely to government," said Wells. "This will also destabilize the local RM government and distract councilors from their current duties."
He also questioned the contention that the APAS will be a strong, unified voice for farmers. "Some issues are contentious. Where will APAS stand on the Wheat Board or regulated transportation? There is a real danger when all farmers are forced into a single organization that the organization will end up saying little or nothing on key, but controversial, issues for fear of alienating some members," said Wells.
The following table compares the APAS structure to that of the NFU:
The NFU believes that a voluntary, direct membership structure for APAS would be more acceptable to farmers than their current tax-funded structure. The NFU will work with APAS and other farm organizations to try and find some common ground that will be of benefit to all farmers in Saskatchewan.
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For More Information:
Stewart Wells, Sask. Board member: (306) 773-6852
Darrin Qualman, Executive Secretary: (306) 652-9465