SASKATOON, Sask-"There are no agricultural spending initiatives in this budget because the government has no agricultural policy. Canadian farmers are being brutalized by world commodity prices that do not cover their cost of production and input costs which rise inexorably. Farmers continue to hope that the Canadian government will create and implement an agricultural policy to deal with the systemic problems in the sector," said NFU President Cory Ollikka.

While Ollikka recognized that the federal government will spend up to $900 million over the next two years to partially top up farm incomes hard-hit by falling commodity prices, he pointed out that this is one-time band-aid money. "The government itself admits that this is one-time money to cover a crisis. Maybe if the government were willing to work with farmers toward creative solutions and an effective long-term policy, we could avert the next crisis," stated Ollikka. Ollikka pointed to the ongoing stability and relative prosperity of Canada's supply-managed sectors as examples of fruitful agricultural policies which serve both producers and consumers.

Ollikka concluded: "Today's budget barely touched on agriculture, farmers, or rural Canada. This reflects a government without a vision, without a plan for agriculture. The crisis on farms across Canada and the depopulation of rural communities are a direct result of this lack of vision and action. Sound agricultural policy need not be expensive. The alternative-the loss of family farm agriculture and the decimation of rural communities-will be costly indeed."

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For More Information:

• Cory Ollikka, President: (306) 652-9465
  
• Darrin Qualman, Exec. Sec.: (306) 652-9465
  

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