national farmers union

in union is strength

NOVEMBER 25, 1999

NFU NATIONAL CONVENTION BEGINS TODAY

SASKATOON, Sask.-The National Farmers Union's 30th Annual National Convention begins today in Saskatoon, Sask. The Convention will deal with the farm income crisis, the WTO, farm support programs in Europe and the United States and genetically modified foods.

The Convention takes place:

Agenda highlights:

November 25,
11:00 AM: Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Dwain Lingenfelter.

November 25,
1:30 PM: Bob Sterling: University of Regina sociologist. For many years, Bob Sterling has studied, written about, and spoken on issues that affect the family farm. Dr. Sterling will discuss the rural resistance and the future of communities.

November 25,
2:40 PM: Commodity panel discussions on the outlook and issues for major commodity groups: grains and oilseeds, supply management (milk, poultry, eggs), livestock, and fruits and vegetables.

November 26,
1:30 PM: William Heffernan: U.S. rural sociologist. Dr. Heffernan recently published an important paper on increasing concentration in the agri-food sector and growing vertical linkages between grain companies and life-science companies.

November 26,
3:00 PM: A panel discussion on consumer resistance to biotechnology in Europe and elsewhere. Markets in Europe and elsewhere are closing for genetically-engineered canola, corn, beans, and potatoes. Several groups have launched major public-awareness campaigns in Canada. Farmers need to reevaluate the costs and benefits of genetic engineering.

November 27,
9:30 AM: A panel discussion on the WTO and how it, and other trade agreements, restrict our ability to craft effective safety net programs (Annex 2 of the WTO dictates the terms of the ineffective AIDA program). This panel will include Canadian, U.S., and European representatives.

The media is urged to attend.

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For More Information:

Darrin Qualman, NFU Executive Secretary at the Confederation Inn: (306) 384-2882

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November 25, 11:00 AM:	Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Dwain Lingenfelter.
November 25, 1:30 PM:	Bob Sterling: University of Regina sociologist. For many years, Bob Sterling has studied, written about, and spoken on issues that affect the family farm. Dr. Sterling will discuss the rural resistance and the future of communities.
November 25, 2:40 PM:	Commodity panel discussions on the outlook and issues for major commodity groups: grains and oilseeds, supply management (milk, poultry, eggs), livestock, and fruits and vegetables.
November 26, 1:30 PM:	William Heffernan: U.S. rural sociologist. Dr. Heffernan recently published an important paper on increasing concentration in the agri-food sector and growing vertical linkages between grain companies and life-science companies.
November 26, 3:00 PM:	A panel discussion on consumer resistance to biotechnology in Europe and elsewhere. Markets in Europe and elsewhere are closing for genetically-engineered canola, corn, beans, and potatoes. Several groups have launched major public-awareness campaigns in Canada. Farmers need to reevaluate the costs and benefits of genetic engineering.
November 27, 9:30 AM:	A panel discussion on the WTO and how it, and other trade agreements, restrict our ability to craft effective safety net programs (Annex 2 of the WTO dictates the terms of the ineffective AIDA program). This panel will include Canadian, U.S., and European representatives.