Media Releases

THE NFU CALLS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS PRAIRIE FARM FLOODING CRISIS

Saskatoon, Sask. - The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on the federal government to address the flooding crisis affecting many farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Seeding in Southwestern Manitoba is only 30 percent complete and as low as 5 percent in some areas, due to heavy rainfall and flooding of the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba. It is clear that some farmers there won’t be able to plant a single acre this year.

NFU SAYS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT CANNOT BE TRUSTED

Guelph, Ontario – The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on the Harper Conservative government to adhere to its promise to let farmers decide the future of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). During the election campaign, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said that it was up to farmers to decide the future of the CWB. Yesterday Ritz contradicted that position by stating that the Conservative government is going to end the CWB single desk through changes to legislation in the fall. “Clearly the Conservative government cannot be trusted.

NFU CALLS ON HARPER GOVERNMENT TO BE HONEST ABOUT CWB

Saskatoon, Sask. – The National Farmers Union is calling on the Harper Conservative government to be honest about the Canadian Wheat Board. On Wednesday returning Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz stated that the Conservative Government intends to remove the CWB’s single desk through changes to legislation in the fall. He also stated that the CWB would continue to be an option for farmers after the changes, and that farmers would be better off without the single desk. “Ritz is not being honest with farmers.

NFU CALLS ON HOEPPNER TO CORRECT HER STATEMENT ON CWB’S SINGLE DESK

Saskatoon, Sask. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling for Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner to correct recent comments she made about the CWB’s single desk selling advantage. On Wednesday May 4<span class="s1"<span class="nfu nfu-angle-double-right"</spanth</span<span class="nfu nfu-angle-double-right"</span, Hoeppner told CBC, “I <span class="s2"<span class="nfu nfu-angle-double-right"</spancan tell you, in my riding, a lot of farmers, all they're asking for is the choice. They don't want to end the monopoly.”</span<span class="nfu nfu-angle-double-right"</span

FARMERS, NOT GOVERNMENT, SHOULD DECIDE CWB FUTURE

Saskatoon, Sask. – The NFU is calling on the new Harper majority government to respect to the wishes of Western Canadian farmers regarding the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) single-desk selling advantage.

NFU RECOMMENDS THAT THE HIGHLANDS COMPANIES’ APPLICATION FOR MELANCTHON QUARRY BE REJECTED

Guelph, Ont. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) has sent a letter to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources this week, recommending that it decline the application made by The Highlands Companies for the Melancthon Quarry. The Melancthon Quarry is located underneath prime agricultural land, best suited for feeding the people of Ontario. “Each year more and more prime farmland is exploited for industrial uses like aggregate extraction,” stated NFU Board Member Ann Slater.

JOE DAMA APPOINTED NEW REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR ONTARIO

Saskatoon, Sask. – The Executive of the National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased to announce that Joe Dama has been appointed the Regional Coordinator for Ontario. Dama farms in Essex County, and brings a wealth of experience to the new position. Dama takes over from Sean McGivern, who resigned after serving as Regional Coordinator over the previous year.

NFU SUBMITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON AGRICULTURE-WILDLIFE CONFLICT STRATEGY

Guelph, Ont. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) has submitted a list of recommendations to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFA) regarding the Agriculture-Wildlife Conflict Strategy. The recommendations are based on resolutions passed at the 2010 and 2011 Ontario regional conventions.

Back to the Future: Food Security and Farm Prosperity Using the Rear View Mirror

Add your voice to a lively discussion of the challenges of “local food” at the annual meeting of the National Farmers Union in New Brunswick this coming Saturday, April 2, at the Club d’Age d’Or at 3384 Route 132 in Scoudouc.All farmers and anyone with an interest in food security and the future of the “buy local” movement is invited to join the fun.

GROWING FORWARD II CONSULTATIONS LACK ATTENTION TO DOMESTIC MARKETS

Guelph, Ont. – The current round of Growing Forward II consultations are far too focussed on the development of export markets and almost completely ignore Canada’s domestic market, says the National Farmers Union (NFU). “There is almost no opportunity to discuss domestic food markets in these consultations. Domestic markets are crucial to the livelihood of farmers and our food security here in Canada,” stated NFU Board member and St. Marys area farmer, Ann Slater.