Canadian agri-food imports increased 5 ¹/2 times since 1975. In that same period, realized net farm income in Canada has yet to break $4.5 billion. Since 1970, it has peaked in 1975 and 1988 at just over $4 billion. Adjusted for inflation, however, per-farm realized net farm income has actually fallen 77% since 1975.

Farmers just want a fair deal. In a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food on the WTO, the NFU made the following recommendations:

• That the Government of Canada cease bargaining away Canada's orderly marketing and supply-management agencies, and it's authority to make policies in the interest of Canadian farmers.
  
  
• That the Canadian Government... take advantage of international dissatisfaction with the WTO process to strengthen its negotiating position.
  
  
• That the federal government of Canada take a clear "pro-farmer" position in the upcoming WTO negotiations and align itself with nations around the world who are working to change the focus of those talks.
  
  
• That Canadian negotiators refuse to yield to demands to reduce the tariffs which safeguard supply-managed sectors.
  
  
• That the Canadian WTO negotiators defend Canada's unconditional right to create, maintain and expand orderly-marketing and supply-management agencies.
  
  
• That Canadian WTO negotiators do what they can to curb export subsidies, but more importantly, that they work towards multilateral market disciplines which will lead to orderly world trade, higher prices and will eliminate the need for export subsidies.
  
  
• That the Canadian government protect the ability of Canada and other countries to support their farmers until such a time as the larger problems within the agri-trade system are remedied.
  
  
• That the Canadian WTO negotiators work with those from other countries to diminish the WTO's focus on export acceleration, deregulation, and the destruction of institutions that support farmers.
  
  
• That the Canadian WTO negotiators work to expand the boundaries of discussion at the WTO and, thereby, make possible outcomes that support farmers around the world.
  
  
• That the Canadian federal and provincial governments work with farmers, rural residents, and all citizens to establish a food production, distribution, and trade system in Canada and around the world which will ensure:
  1. That all people have access to sufficient nutritious and safe food;
  2. That the means of producing that food remains in the hands of peasants, small and medium-sized producers and indigenous peoples;
  3. That food producers receive a fair and adequate return for their work;
  4. That wealth created in rural areas fosters the security and prosperity of rural communities;
  5. That agricultural policies and practices protect and enhance the natural environment;
  6. That every country has the right to adopt all necessary measures to ensure the preceding goals;
  7. That the international food trade is subservient to the preceding goals.

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