They are At IT Again!!!

It's time again for the annual Doha Round emergence of Right Wing extreme editorial comments! I can't believe I missed this one! Neil Reynolds, writing for Report on Business has come up with another editorial that targets dairy farmers and their system of supply management.

This one is entitled: "Make dairy farmers an offer they can't refuse" June 15, 2007. Reading through the article just makes me very angry. Many of the same old assumptions about the industry are rife, through-out. Not only doesn't he 'get it' about supply management ...... he doesn't 'get it' about the whole issue of the dangers surrounding imported foods, period.

The best way to protect consumers is to continue to support domestic food production and a decent standard of living for domestic farmers!

'Save the Doha round'.... indeed. If Canada is stupid enough to even consider this, with what has been happening lately and the eye opening scandal around imported foods, we are doomed.

But with ideas out there to 'integrate' North America.... it would be a good way to even that playing field in a hurry. Simply apply the New Zealand model asap and you are set.

God save us all from fools and economists. -CG

A Ray of Hope?

Just as I was thinking there was nothing happening out there, something appeared on the CBC. The story was good but in my mind, anyway, it needs to be developed and expanded further.

As much as I love the CBC, you haven't really made the news until all National media are putting forward their own elements of the same story.

After all, it is the consumer here, who is being hosed over "made in Canada" labeling and the food processors who are buying that 'least cost' stuff from China. The food retail industry is also not without blame. Their drive for higher profits and lower cost suppliers is all part of the package. Since they purchase much of their fresh stuff from the 'Food Terminal', they are the problem here, in spades!

See 'Product of Canada' labels misleading, consumer group says

Check out the video cast under "related stories" for the full CBC National story from Monday, June 12, 2007.


In the meantime, consumers are still being exposed to risks and the 'Made in Canada' label is worse than useless.

Time for Dairy Farmers of Canada to put some real media weight behind efforts to educate their consumers. As one of the few farm organizations with a large media budget this opportunity needs to become full blown.



The proposed new standards for cheese are also part of this story. I fail to see why processors do not understand how the "China" issue affects them too. They are also missing an opportunity to get media buzz by voluntarily offering to comply for the benefit of their consumers. This would definitely be newsworthy and garner millions in free publicity. They could even list those cheeses they would be applying these new standards to.

Instead, they are locked in a battle to keep their cheap products and put all of us at risk.-CG

Agriculture is missing this boat!

I just cannot resist hammering this message home. Farmers just do not understand how to get their message out there!!! They have been so quiet on this issue it is almost embarrassing! With all the hoopla regarding China,the time has never been better to expose more of the imported food issue, to the public. Along with it, major media attention is theirs for the asking!!!!

The industry has always struggled to be relevant. This is relevance with a vengeance. While Canadians were busy doing their thing, the food processing industry in this country has headed for cheaper pastures. Canadian consumers will not soon forget this one. Farmers had better make sure they don't!

Along with that, governments had better get the message that they are part of this problem and they cannot abdicate their responsibilities in the matter.

If you do not believe that farmers and their organizations are missing this boat just have a look at this sample of head lines from the past two weeks alone. -CG

Consumers hungry for locally grown food, struggling Loblaws told

Food import tests sought Former federal agriculture minister Ralph Ferguson is leading a campaign for such tests.

Bringing country food to city-Two groundbreaking new farmers' markets in Toronto prove that local really is the new organic

You can practically smell the good Ontario earth
With the opening of Liberty Village market under the FMO seal of approval, you can trust your produce is grown locally

Seafood imports from China raised in untreated sewage Fish products consumed by Americans treated with dangerous drugs, chemicals

Chinese authorities investigate sale of fake blood protein to hospitals