HARRISTON, Ont."With large amounts of arable land being permanently removed from farming by urban sprawl, public utilities, and highway construction, it is very important that the provincial government continue its current commitment to improving the sustainability and productivity of remaining farm land. One vital way to accomplish this goal is through continued support for land drain construction, maintenance, and improvements," said NFU Ontario Coordinator Ineke Booy when she and other NFU members presented a brief to Ontario Ministry of Agriculture officials on Ontario Drainage Programs.

The Municipal Outlet Drainage (MOD) and the Tile Loan Programs have been in place for 24 years. The programs provide grants and fixed-rate loans to farmers to cover a portion of the costs to construct, improve, and maintain land drainage systems. Drainage systems are an important part of the infrastructure in farming areas.

In a brief delivered to Department officials, Booy stated that drainage programs reduce soil erosion, increase productivity, and increase the length of the growing season. The NFU raised concerns that, coming in the larger context of program cuts in Ontario Agriculture, current consultations on drainage programs may be merely a prelude to cuts to these important programs. "The NFU clearly does not support any cuts to drainage programs," stated Booy.

Booy challenged the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and its new-found fondness for consultation. "OMAFRA didnt consult farmers before it closed most of its county offices. Yet, it is now doing a review of drainage programs. Despite their record of unilateral action, I hope that OMAFRA listens to the people who made presentations on this issuethey were unanimously in favour of strengthening the Drainage Programs," she said.

The National Farmers Union works to ensure the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of family farm agriculture in Canada.

For More Information:

Ineke Booy, NFU Ontario Coordinator: (877) 779-9795

Peter Dowling, NFU Ontario Coordinator: (613) 546-0869

Ed Molzan, NFU member: (519) 847-5472