The FCC VS the C.D. Howe Institute

The C.D. Howe Institute has painted a target on the back of supply management for a long time.  "Never let the truth get in the way" seems to be their mantra. For many years supply management and their farmers have fought to try to get this institution to use more balanced material and the farmers and their organizations  have failed.  They should be honoured that they are now not the ONLY target of this august institution of fiction.

 Recently the C.D Howe Institute also set its sights on the FCC (Farm Credit Corporation).  Now one would expect that all the facts would be available for anyone to research if they so desired.  In fact a few phone calls and a request to the FCC, would have elicited the information that the C.D. Howe Institute so obviously did not want to have.

Governments would do well to be cautious with information published by the C.D. Howe. This could have had serious consequences for the agriculture industry and the country.

The normally sedate and composed FCC  responded this past week with a letter to both the Ontario Farmer and the Financial Post. .

For your reading pleasure here it is in its entirety:


Letter to the Editor

FCC submitted the following Letter to the Editor to the Financial Post in response to an opinion item from the C.D. Howe Institute, published in the Financial Post on March 20, 2013. Letter content below:

At Farm Credit Canada (FCC), we believe that a healthy agricultural credit market offers customers choice from a range of financial institutions. We share this viewpoint with 100,000 FCC customers, as well as thousands of farmers and agribusiness operators who are not our customers.

That’s why I continue to be amazed at how opinions on this issue are being presented repeatedly as facts – without balanced opinions from multiple groups who are actually involved in the industry. The most recent example is the March 20 opinion piece that appeared in the Financial Post by academics Finn Poschmann and Phillipe Bergevin, authors of a recent C.D. Howe report on financial Crown corporations entitled Reining in the Risks: Rethinking the Role of Crown Financial Corporations in Canada. They use inflammatory and unsubstantiated words like "subprime," "dodgy," and "hypercompetitive" to describe FCC lending practices.

Here are some facts about FCC to add to the record.

FCC has been growing and profitable for more than two decades. We are a prudent and responsible lender. Our financial strength has never been better. More than 98% of our $25 billion portfolio is in good standing, which reflects the overall strength of the agricultural industry and a deep commitment and business savvy by our borrowers to run sound businesses.

FCC doesn’t receive money from the Government of Canada. FCC is self-financed and pays millions of dollars in dividends to the government each year. The Auditor General of Canada conducts FCC financial audits every year, which are available to the public. The majority of our profits are reinvested in additional lending and learning activities for our customers.

As with other federal financial Crown corporations, FCC borrows funds from the government. The accusation that this advantage is used to undercut the market is false. Where banks, credit unions and FCC compete for business, our research shows that, on average, our customers pay us a modest premium.

The authors have inferred that the best way to rein in FCC’s supposed "risky, hypercompetitive practices" would be to return us to a lender of last resort. Ironically, being returned to a lender of last resort is exactly the step that would expose taxpayers to more risk. Providing access to capital to customers of various sizes, in a wide range of sectors, all across Canada helps FCC keep its overall risk portfolio healthy.

FCC continued lending to agriculture through the financial crisis in 2008-09 when many other lenders did not. Some FCC growth occurred as a direct result of other lenders exiting the market at that time, and many involved in the industry today will say its current good health relates to the fact that access to credit was available through the 2008-09 period. In 2009, the banks collectively withdrew from an agricultural finance market that, overall, was still healthy, while FCC continued to provide new lending capital and grew its portfolio. FCC is in agriculture for the long run and this sets us apart.

Furthermore, the insinuation that FCC is not interested in enhancing risk management practices could not be further from the truth. Like it did with the Business Development Bank, the CD Howe Institute and the authors made no effort to contact FCC to express an interest in seeing the systems and processes we have in place to manage risk, which might have provided at least some balance or insight. We welcome the current Office of Superintendent Financial Institutions (OSFI) review, both to help us validate what existing practices are working well and to learn what new steps will strengthen our risk management even more.

Finally, the opinions and direct experience of FCC customers and the agriculture industry at large matter a great deal. We have more than 100,000 customers across Canada. Virtually every one of them also deal with other financial institutions for deposits and other financial services, neither of which are offered by FCC. In the authors’ research and commentary, the views of customers and the industry are completely absent. That makes one wonder exactly whose perspective they represent, and who would really benefit if their views were implemented.

We routinely send business to credit unions and banks across Canada, and partner with them on deals. We will continue to operate in a spirit of cooperation, no matter what mud-slinging and misrepresentation occurs about FCC.

Sincerely,
Greg Stewart
President and Chief Executive Officer
Farm Credit Canada

100 Good Reasons

I have decided I should post some of the 100 Good Reasons to look for the 100% Canadian Milk Symbol. They need to be even more visible to the public.  Share these if you can.-CG

Canadian dairy farmers follow strict regulations on the use of antibiotics

 

Canadian Dairy farmers work closely with veterinarians to ensure their cattle stay healthy. 

Unfortunately, just like humans, cows sometimes get sick, and when they do, they may  need  medications such as antibiotics.

When a cow needs antibiotics, the dairy farmer has to follow strict protocols. 

While the farmer continues to milk the cow, all of her milk is collected separately and discarded for a mandatory withdrawal period until her system is clear.

On the rare occasion that a load of milk does not meet the regulatory requirements
 when it arrives  at the processing plant, the entire load is rejected and disposed of. 

Since milk samples are collected at each farm, a farmer who supplies substandard milk
 is easily identified and held accountable.

Penalties for supplying milk containing contaminants such as antibiotic residues are severe, 
so dairy farmers take great care in making sure their milk is in its purest form.

For more good reasons to share : www.100goodreasons.ca

Powerful Words

One of the most talked about, viewed, watched and shared Super Bowl Commercials this year is about farmers.  It is a perfect example of advocacy, something that supply management would do well to consider.  Done right, it would provide balance and real information to the general public about the importance of the industry and the very real services it provides to Canadians. Below is a reprint of the Farms.com article about the commercial and what it achieves.

You can watch this wonderful you tube video again here:

“So God Made A Farmer” Super Bowl Commercial Gives A Boost To Agvocacy

Ram Pays Tribute to Farmers with Voice of Paul Harvey and Powerful Images

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

It’s the Super Bowl commercial that everyone in the agriculture community is talking about - Ram Trucks version of the famous 1978 speech with the voice of Paul Harvey known as “So God Made a Farmer.”

Not only was the commercial a great advertisement for Ram Trucks, but it also gave a boost to “agvocacy”. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term agvocacy, it’s the combination of the two words – agriculture and advocacy to create the word agvocacy. The whole purpose of agvocacy is to communicate about agriculture with the non-ag audience.

One of the biggest challenges to being an impactful agvocate is ensuring that you are engaging with the non-ag audience and not preaching to the choir. Ram’s commercial was able to reach that non-ag audience, which helps set the stage for agvocates to connect with the average consumer. The message was bold, the images were powerful and it was a positive message about those behind agriculture production.  Thank you to Ram Trucks for their tribute to the American Farmer!

 Paul Harvey’s “So God Made A Farmer Speech:

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board." So God made a farmer.

"I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait lunch until his wife's done feeding visiting ladies and tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon -- and mean it." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, 'Maybe next year.' I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from a persimmon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain'n from 'tractor back,' put in another seventy-two hours." So God made a farmer.

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place. So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadow lark. It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week's work with a five-mile drive to church.

"Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does.'" So God made a farmer.

Government moves forward on Trade again!

Farmers would be well advised to pay attention to the comments attached to the article below. There are over 300 today alone. It is interesting how much "inaccurate" detail some have provided. It might make you wonder if someone has hired people to pound away ...... hmmmmm.

Since there are powerful forces looking for the demise of supply management, I wouldn't put anything past anyone.-CG

Supply management on table as Harper touts trade at Americas summit

JENNIFER DITCHBURN

OTTAWA— The Canadian Press

Feb 12th is Food Freedom Day!

The article below is reprinted from Dairy Farmers of Canada's Feb Action FAX.

On February 12, 2010, the average Canadian will have earned enough income to pay his or her individual grocery bill for the entire year, making it Food Freedom Day!

Food Freedom Day occurs on the same day it did last year, due largely in part to the fact that Canada’s food costs have risen by less than 1% over the past year. This is very low, especially when compared to the United States and the European Union where food prices have gone up by 4% and in some cases over 5%.

Despite the low rise in food prices for Canadian consumers, the Farmers' Share, a recent study commissioned by prairie members of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), showed that, on average, only 27 per cent of the cost of an entire week's worth of groceries for a family of four goes back to the farms where the food is produced.

To ensure that consumers are able to identify Canadian food products and support our agriculture sector, DFC supports the position of the CFA that they will continue to advocate for effective ingredient-based 'Product of Canada' guidelines that are both informative to the consumer and practical to the agri-food sector. Additionally, consumers know they can continue to support Canadian dairy farmers by looking for the 100% Canadian Milk logo on dairy products.

Products with this logo ensure that consumers are buying highquality, safe and delicious products made with Canadian milk ingredients. “Farmers are very proud of their role in providing high quality food produced at the highest food safety and environmental standards," - Laurent Pellerin, CFA President

This article is courtesy of information from the Candian Federation of Agriculture. For more information please visit cfa-fca.ca

The Great Canadian Moo!!!

This is all about great Canadian fun AND innovative advertising to highlight Canadian milk products and a very familiar little blue cow. A friend told me about the "great Canadian moo". Since she works in Toronto and a lot of her friends are 20 something... well ... they are having a lot of fun with it. I am sure on the appointed day we all need to send those 'moos'!

After all, at the very least it should send profile through the roof.

I went to check it out though and was surprised to see that it is part of the promotion of the updated blue cow logo, from Dairy Farmers of Canada. The newest commercial is just great! Maybe the great Canadian moo, will send the YOUTUBE commercial viral. If every dairy farmer in Canada were emailing their friends and relatives, this stuff would be viral in no time.

Watch it now on YOUTUBE

Food Safety Disaster

When I last wrote in Dairiblawg , the article that set me off had been buried deep in the back of newspapers. Changes to CFIA, the 5% cut in budget, etc, etc. Even though in my bones I felt this was the path to disaster, I didn't think we would see it happen so soon.

I have been reading and watching the news stories as the Maple Leaf Foods disaster, just keeps on growing. Worse, they are one of the few large plants left in Ontario to process pigs for farmers.

Again, consumers are probably shocked at how many brands were handled by that single plant. Our illusion of choice has disappeared and consumers are left wondering where to go.

I think they are flocking to farmers markets, and local butcher shops (if you have one) . Ontario better have its food safety guidelines and inspections up to snuff. There are not enough small processors or local suppliers out there to keep us all in fresh food. Things could get darn interesting.

Massive modern, distributions systems for food like we have, are very efficient. They have brought us food for a ridiculously cheap price, nation-wide. But they can also be deadly, spreading disease or food borne illness across massive distances and numbers of people.

This was always the Achilles heel of the food industry. I guess we just have been darn lucky it hasn't happened sooner!!

******

Since I first started this post, Maple Leaf has finally come back on line, Quebec has had its own food safety issue, this time surrounding cheese and China has had several more food safety scandals surrounding illegal additives in baby formula and other products.

These days, when I go into my local butcher shop, I hear questions like, "Who does your processed meat?" Maple Leaf anyone?

I will be detailing more on this issue as it continues to dominate consumer thinking. The larger problem is that the media has not followed through on this topic. It comes and goes as food safety issues hit the headlines. No one has asked why we should accept this level of risk in our food system.

Consumers are quietly doing what they have always done. Finding other places to buy or source their food.

More Bad, Bad Food News

I barely had the last post published and to-day, another longtime food processor is leaving town. This time it is the Campbell's Plant in Listowel, Ontario. The article refers to production going to 'other north American plants' read Mexico (?).

A bad news day in Listowel
By staff The Beacon Herald


What else is a consumer to think. So now Campbell's will expect you to still buy their products, even thought they are packing up their bags and leaving.

According to the CTV National News, the paramount reason is of course 'the high loonie'. Now come on folks we have and a high dollar before. This plant has been here for 50 years. There is something much more insidious at work here.

They are leaving for cheaper climes ......... because they CAN! The difference this time around is of course .... wait for it ....... FREE TRADE!!!

And Canadian consumers (so far anyway) have not said a thing. Now if they want these food companies to take notice of their concerns about food closer to home, they better make a very, very, loud noise.

Ottawa says there is nothing they can do. Wrong. There is plenty they can do. A bit of tough talk about what people in this country might like to purchase may make these guys think at least once.

Other wise they won't be the last one to keep moving on ..... to the next cheapest road show in town.

Just who will process your food then!!!!! The federal government should look at food plant losses as seriously as they would look at the loss of our oil reserves or our water.-CG

More 'Food Crisis' news

The past few days my mailbox has been full of articles about the rising cost of food. A sampling is illuminating ...... but no farmers on those interview lists yet!!

As usual, our food retailers and processors are quick off the mark. The problem in this country is that very few consumers understand just what free trade has really done for them.

Destroying crops while others starve
Apr 26, 2008 04:30 AM Thomas Walkom

Note: This particular article exposes nicely, the weakness in globalization and economic theory that focuses on 'which country can produce the most efficiently';translation of course is 'cheapest'!!

Beef producers struggle in midst of price rise rumours

By HANK DANISZEWSKI, SUN MEDIA

Rising grain costs push Maple Leaf into loss

Reuters Published: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Bread prices on the rise, food reps say
Last Updated: Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:11 AM ET

Why grocery bills are set to soar
PAUL WALDIE
From Friday's Globe and Mail
April 25, 2008 at 4:01 AM EDT

Food companies warn of rising prices
Canadians can expect to pay more at grocery stores as higher feed costs advance through the food chain
Apr 25, 2008 04:30 AM
Dana Flavelle business reporter

This is just too much ...... it goes on and on. It is almost enough to have people digging up the yard for this year's garden. Don't laugh!!! Some articles have actually put forward that idea. It was 'tongue in cheek', but I am sure that some people took it very seriously.

In the land of plenty we go round and round and consumers are buffeted by articles, news stories, pundits and the food players. The Business News Network (BNN) even discusses our 'food' or commodities constantly.

Hmmmmm??! Maybe it's time to push the 'Food Security' idea much, much, harder. Woe betide the foolish politician who forgets about these headlines at the WTO.

It should NOT be hard to get some valuable air time for this one.-CG

Food Crisis .... a warning.

I have been listening to and reading numerous articles and reports this week, about the 'Food Crisis' faced by many impoverished countries. There even is an article warning the 'crisis' could hit this country,too!

At the same time, we have Ontario beef and pork producers faced with their perfect storm and the depopulation of their herds as a solution to their crisis.

Meanwhile, grains and oil seeds farmers are just beginning to see the light of day, with the rise in prices for wheat, corn and soybeans.

Canadian supply managed farmers (dairy, turkey, chicken and eggs) are worried about their governments' goal at the World Trade Organization and what may happen to their stable system.

Something is terribly wrong with this picture.

For one thing, this country's food supply is dominated by a retail strangle hold. Their suppliers look for the 'cheapest' source of their food products for you (Walmartized).

Distributors and processors push backwards to their suppliers, the farmer. Processors of food for many products have been allowed to consolidate or have been sold off to foreign buyers. Large processors have way more political power and power over the farmers of many products who are forced to sell to them. With free trade agreements in force they are moving their products into this country at the expense of our own food supply.

Really bad agricultural policy ignoring "Made in Canada' labels among other national food issues and focused on the World Trade Organization and the globalization of food instead, are responsible as well. There have been all kinds of special Agricultural reports to Parliament that could have gone a long way to begin to solve the problems. They were ignored.

The result of course has been a reduction in produced crops, loss of farmers in production and loss of world stocks, pushed ahead by drought in many countries. This is just a tiny part of the result.

Agriculture has been such a pawn of commodity brokers, prices set by outside forces (not the farmers themselves) and government, including our own federal government, it is no wonder some have given up.

In all the attention the media has showered on the "Food Crisis" issue I have yet to see anyone focus on the farmers themselves and this country's own food price and source dysfunction. There are all kinds of 'reports' from our own members in Parliament that too many governments have ignored.

Our media could do us all a great service if someone would take an in-depth look at the whole mess. We have way too many ridiculous inconsistencies of supply of food, price of food and who controls it. It's time for CTV or Global or the CBC to try to get to the bottom of it all. Maybe now, there is an appetite to do it.

R.I.P. !

I thought it particularly important to mark this date. This is the day Cangro marked for closure of it's Ontario Fruit and vegetable processing plants. This has weighed heavy on my mind for weeks since I first heard about it. Today this article showed up in Sun Media.

Cheaper imports threaten the 752,000 people employed by Ontario's agriculture and food processing sector.

Fruitless labour
Hank Daniszewski Sun Media
March 13, 2008


The slogan is Good Things Grow in Ontario. But finding those good Ontario-grown products in your supermarket is getting tougher.

The rising value of the Canadian dollar means food manufacturers are finding it easier to go global when they buy and process products. It's a trend that threatens the 752,000 people in Ontario's agriculture and food processing sector, the second-largest employer in the province. ( see complete article...)

This is our last peach and pear processor. It is about time somebody in the media tried to let the public know just what is going on out there.

As a consumer looking for Ontario processed foods it does not matter to me why they were leaving. I was SURE the 'why' is all about the money. It usually is. According to the article the Canadian owned processor was purchased 2 years ago by an American company. It is obvious, now, why they are leaving.

With a huge increase in the 'Grow Ontario" advertising budget, Ontarians are going to be even more aware of those products that are NOT from home. Since this is such a compelling issue for many consumers and growing daily, one has to wonder why the food processors left in this province fail to take advantage of all that free advertising to promote their products!!!!!!

I wonder if NAFTA and free trade rules will impact our ability to label food sourced in this country? Maybe we better work on keeping our processors before we have to sort that one out.

It looks like is going to be a long summer .

What do American Consumers Think?

While Canadian consumers struggle to locate Canadian processors and their products on most retail shelves, a new book has been published in the U.S. to provide their consumers with hard information. The article below provides some surprising statistics from the book.

WASHINGTON - Would you be willing to pay a little extra for goods made in the USA?Join the club.

Polls show a majority of Americans willing to do the same. And with China charging Americans to ship its hazardous materials to line the shelves of Walmart, Roger Simmermaker thinks he has the answer - a guide to buying American."How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism" is hot off the press, providing tips and listing thousands of retail outlets owned by Americans as well as manufacturers still operating in the U.S.

If you think Americans no longer care about where goods are made or have concerns about safety of foreign products, think again. Simmermaker has assembled some surprising statistics:

92 percent of Americans want country-of-origin labels on meat and produce;

68.6 percent of Americans check labels for information like manufacturer, nation of origin and ingredients - up from 52.9 percent a year ago;

86.3 percent of Americans would like to block Chinese imports until they raise their product and food safety standards to meet U.S. levels;

33 percent of Americans would be willing to pay four times as much for American-made toys;

63 percent were willing to join a boycott of Chinese-made goods in general

(see full article ...)

In the past, Canadian figures on issues like this, follow American trends and in some cases they are ahead of our American neighbours. I think food is one of those areas. Canadian consumers are generally even more knowledgeable than their American counterparts. After all, I am one of those consumers, too!

If I am right ..... then a lot of grocery retailers and processors will have to pay the piper for their lack of foresight.

Of note though, food retail giant Loblaws has another new commercial offering a dessert product (apple dumplings) made by Ontario farmers, which is a start. How about large, clearly identifiable signage for Ontario products?

Are they paying attention or are they just paying lip service? Only time will tell and consumers are watching.-CG

Surprise ... surprise!!!!

I just received my monthly Macleans for March 2008. Now, I have been hard on Macleans on occasion, because, frankly, some of the articles deserved to be left unwritten, as they were so unbalanced and biased, it was a dis-service to all, including their urban audience, that they ever saw the light of day.

This month is a surprise, though and not a bad thing in my mind at all. Front and centre on the cover:

Rampant demand. Sudden shortages. Riots over prices. The world food crisis is starting to hit home.

YOUR GROCERY BILL IS ABOUT TO HURT

The article is written by Charlie Gillis and is a very in depth and thoughtful look into a number of issues. I'll leave it to you to decide on the level of importance you can attach to them. One very big surprise is the credit Gillis gives to the National Farmers Union. The Union did write to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and for that they should get major kudos. It was a piece of far sightedness we all could use.

Gillis also goes into some surprising statistics that our own farmers and farm organizations should be looking at and thinking about. Earlier this week reports from some interesting sources (prisonplanet.com) were speculating on similar announcements from the FAO. I am a bit surprised that the Macleans article even saw the light of day.

As well, this week CTV's Pat Foran reported at length about the increasing cost of wheat for pasta, although he used the term, food inflation.

As a consumer and parent the issues can be chilling. How many can grow their own food? What about preserving it yourself? If we are in fact, teetering on the edge ........ what is our own government doing to protect our people from such possible, frightening outcomes?

Many of us in agriculture are aware of the history around farming and food production. Society as a whole is not. It was only the efficiency and productiveness on the nations farms that freed society to pursue other avenues of wealth and built the societies we have to-day.

I hope you all take a long hard look at the article and use this profile to urge our government to take real Food Sovereignty very seriously. Perhaps you will have willing voices to help spread the word.-CG

The Silence is Deafening!!!

One reader recently asked the question: "Which consumer groups would best represent the feelings of the consumer?"

So I decided that, I would do a little bit of research into our consumer associations, to see what popped up. Imagine my surprise when on the main page of the Consumers Association of Canada, I found a ridiculous article slamming the "extra fat" one may find in cheese once the new regulations come into force. This title may give you a clue: Federal Government Moves to Fatten up Canadians

It seems to me they should be far more concerned about the 'source' of Canadian food, the complete irrelavence of the "Product of Canada" label, the need for Canadians to retain their food producers and their processors (Did we learn nothing from BSE?) , among a few of the pressing issues about food that consumers want answers for.

Instead the CAC spent their time slamming Canadian dairy farmers for demanding regulations that will ensure the quality and components in cheese manufactured or shipped into this country. This means the label on cheese will actually mean something to consumers and that cheese that says it's cheese will taste like cheese and cook like cheese. How can that be a bad thing?

I don't think they are in much of a position to give us any help. Consumer associations do not seem interested in rounding out the public education at all. They are more likely to be attacking agriculture.

The whole issue of new regulations for cheese also has sparked some more nasty articles in our favourite national news rag (the Globe and Mail). Conveniently included is Mr. Reynolds e-mail so you can fire off a missive.

Entitled:

Sacred cows: Guess who's getting milked

NEIL REYNOLDS
nreynolds@xplornet.com

February 1, 2008

OTTAWA -- Except for nuclear power, Canada's dairy industry is perhaps the most intensely regulated industry in the country - and perhaps the most discreetly regulated, too. When the federal government quietly promulgated radical new restrictions on Canada's cheese makers in the Canada Gazette last month, it did so on Boxing Day.

At the heart of the new edict is a requirement that cheese contain a higher proportion of whole milk - as opposed to milk byproducts - a change that cheese makers say would increase the cost of production. In its commentary on these protectionist regulations, the government noted in passing that the dairy industry has been getting smaller, "with typically static or declining growth," for 15 years. The only significant exception, it observed, was cheese. From 307,000 tonnes in 1994 to 379,000 tonnes in 2005, Canadian cheese production has increased by almost 25 per cent -- most of it in the form of innovative "specialty" cheeses that give consumers the illusion of access to the cheeses of the world. read more...

If you want real information about cheese and the new regulations, check my post 'Campaign to Keep Cheese Real' and the Real Cheese website.

Oh, and don't forget to speak to Mr. Reynolds.

CBC's Marketplace, Too?!

While the buzz about the up-coming show for W-5 has been spinning out there in Internet land, this came back in!

CBC's Marketplace did a show this week too! Aired on Wednesday evening they deal with the Made in Canada label and consumer's feelings both before and after their investigation. The headline reads: It says "Product of Canada" on the package, but the food is really from China. Or New Zealand. Or...

CBC also has extensive written information on how to ensure you really get domestic food AND a comments section that is quite revealing. If you have Facebook connections DO pass this around. As consumers we need to know and be educated about this farce in labelling.

Two networks on the same topic on investigative shows in ONE week. WOW!!!!

Watch CTV's W-5!!!

This Saturday evening, CTV's W5 has it's season opener. They have been advertising it all week. The topic should have every farmer in the country glued to the set. 'Safe to Eat?' should wake up and help to educate consumers. From talking to many of them I know that the average shopper still doesn't understand how little protection they have or how exposed they are by the inadequacies of the "Made in Canada" label.

The missing backbone in the "Made in Canada" legislation has also exposed many of our domestic farmers to ruin as processors take advantage of the "holes" in the labelling guidelines that allow them to import vast quantities of cheap food, simply to re-package it. The poor consumer thinks they are being protected by our pitiful "Made in Canada" label.

I can hardly believe that someone has finally picked up this issue. So far, mainstream media has skated around the edges of this one.

Farmers are being handed a prime time springboard and they better be prepared to leap!

On the Public Radar-Not Yet!

In the past few months, as environmental issues take over the public imagination, the term "Local Food", has become widely used. But our governments' and indeed many of the farm organizations in this country, have paid little heed or have been ignoring the immediacy of this issue.

There have been 'baby steps'. Ontario has pumped millions of dollars into it's Foodland Ontario program to help Ontario residents identify and look for Ontario grown produce and fruit. It has had some impact in that retailers were paying attention and put those products front and centre with the logo. So far it falls short of the mark I believe it needs to hit.

Consumers need more than that during the winter months when imports are rampant.

Quebec farmers have taken another road to raise the profile of the concept of 'food sovereignty', which ultimately should be any governments bottom line. A declaration has been signed on the issue by more than 40 Quebec organizations. The GO5 ( Coalition for a Fair Farming Model)intend to raise the profile with the Quebec government and other farm organizations in Canada.

Ontario supply managed farmers have a program as well. Not as well supported as it could be, never the less, it is supportive of the Quebec concept. Known as the FarmGate 5 , it has the attention of the Ontario Liberal Government caucus. Many individual MPP's have signed it too.

Dairy Farmers of Canada has started to talk about and discuss food sovereignty too.

Unfortunately, none of these groups have come to the realization that their consumers must howl, to really get some government attention. They have taken the slow road. A many pronged approach with big bucks is imperative. Consumers must go to their grocery stores and be angry they cannot get or identify, clearly marked, real Canadian food products. They need to understand the incredible danger current global food policies have exposed them to.

They need to be reminded that our border was closed in the not too distant past (BSE). It can and will happen again. It is only a matter of 'when'. They need to know that their food supply in this country is at risk because many food processors have moved (along with everyone else) to greener pastures off-shore. They need to know that this has not happened with supply managed food because of it's domestic focus.

This is a large undertaking and several levels of advertising support will be needed. It is the only way to empower consumers, who need to understand their own food system much, much better than they do now.

With environmental issues so high on the radar screen, there is a good news story to tell and an urgent warning to all Canadians. The land has to be preserved. The farms must survive. Domestic food processing is an imperative. We ignore these issues at our peril. Farmers must find a way to educate their base support, Canadians who care. They DO, in much larger numbers than anyone realizes. -CG

Sigh ...Not Again!!?

Well just like clock-work, we are back to WTO discussions. And just like the summer's heat I expected something from our famous right wing think tanks. To-day I got it.

The Montreal Economic Institutes latest offering is entitled: Supply Management of Farm Products: a costly system for consumers, it comes complete with a media release. It was a snippet on to-days noon news.

Here is a sampling:

$300 per family – Supply management of farm products: a costly system for consumers Montreal, August 23, 2007 -

As the commission on the future of Quebec’s agriculture and agrifood sector begins its hearings, the Montreal Economic Institute is estimating that supply management of milk, eggs and poultry costs at least $300 extra per year for a family of four. This amounts to $575 million for everyone in Quebec.

In an Economic Note published by the Institute, Marcel Boyer, its vice-president and chief economist, explains that astronomical customs duties and the setting of high prices for these food items constitute a particularly regressive tax on low-income consumers. “This system, motivated by protectionism, operates largely as a cartel and is obsolete, costly and unfair,” Mr. Boyer says. “The food and agriculture sector must adapt to international competition and stop penalizing consumers, as well as farmers themselves in the long run.”

(see more...)

Now I have to give them points for trying. But after some of the interesting articles lately, about the real cost of cheap food policies, I don't think they are going to resonate with the public. I do think the feds are willing to use this same old doggerel for their own purposes. That IS the part of this clap trap that bothers me the most.

For last season's effort see Dairiblawg's The Big Leagues Weigh In !!

I hate to say.........

I have been raving on this site for a while about the 'local' food movement, about the concerns consumers have over the source of their food and the profile the pet food poisoning has provided. I even pointed out that consumers don't spend time complaining about these issues to food stores. They don't have the time and they don't know who to complain to.

The signs are there, the big boys are nervous. Some smart cookie is starting to think about some of the ramifications of all of this stuff. Farmers better start pushing them even harder. They can't forget frozen foods or meats! What about milk products? Shouldn't they be under this 'banner' too?

I hope someone is paying attention out there.-CG

Loblaw Loves Local!
“Ontario Grown – Picked at its Peak” Produce Program arriving in Ontario Stores Today

Brampton, ON – July 28, 2007 – Leading the growing movement towards buying local and satisfying consumer demand when it comes to sourcing food, Loblaw Companies is proud to launch its “Ontario Grown- Picked at its Peak” produce program across all Ontario Loblaws, Fortinos, Zehrs, Valu-Mart and Your Independent Grocer stores.

Loblaw Companies are avid supporters of Ontario grown produce! Shoppers will find stores overflowing with large selections of farm-fresh produce. The vibrant colours, freshness and mouthwatering taste pops during peak season. Loblaw works closely with farmers in maintaining high standards of excellence to ensure consumers get the freshest and most flavourful fruits and vegetables possible. “Ontario Grown – Picked at its Peak” produce program will have a positive impact on local economies and help revive and support Ontario’s family farms. Loblaws Companies is committed to this relationship – to consumers and to farmers!

Arriving today, shoppers can look for special “Ontario Grown – Picked at its Peak” signage and farmers market displays in produce departments. To learn more about farmer families, food guides, recipes and produce specials visit: www.loblaws.ca, www.fortinos.ca, www.zehrs.ca, www.valumart.ca, www.yourindependentgrocer.ca.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore and financial products and services. Through its various operating banners, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a one-stop destination in meeting their food and everyday household needs. This goal is pursued through a portfolio of store formats across the country. It also offers one of Canada's strongest control label programs, including the unique President's Choice® and no name® brands. Loblaw is one of the largest private-sector employers in Canada, employing over 139,000 full-time and part-time employees.
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For more information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact:
David Primorac
Director, PR Formats
Loblaw Companies Limited
Office: 905-459-2500 ext. 3634
david.primorac@loblaw.ca

What Can a Consumer DO!!!??

There's no doubt about it. The food processors in this country have done the consumers of Canada the greatest dis-service ever. I have more than a little knowledge when it comes to identifying Canada sourced food in the grocery stores. But it looks like not only have our processors run off to Asia, our regulators have made the "Made in Canada" label a joke and worst than useless!

In conversations with consumers (that means 'shoppers' boys) everywhere, the topic comes up. People are frustrated and angry that their ability to make choices on the food available in their grocery stores, has been taken away from them.

I feel qualified to find good local, fresh foods now, when they are plentiful and real farmers markets are supplying a wonderful array of fresh locally grown vegetables and fruit.

I am very concerned that this winter I will have no choices that provide any comfort about my family's food sources.

I do believe that customers of these large retailers will leave in droves. They are only buying now because no sources with good labelling are readily available but I believe that the demand is there and it is growing.

Consumers don't complain about things in stores like they should, they leave and find alternate sources for their food. THIS is what is behind the growing demand for organic foods. I know that I can go to small organic stores and find local Canadian foods all year. If I have to this is what I will do.

Now, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has handed the Organic movement the single thing it needs to equate quality and CANADIAN with a label. Oh, and they have helped publicized it to boot! Where does this leave the 'other' farmers in this country?

As a group, they have been asking Ag Canada to develop a label or regulations to identify grown in Canada foods for a long time. The government continually avoids this final step because they believe they will hit the trade barrier wall with anything that smacks of Country of Origin Labels!

Why was this not the case for Organic foods which are being imported at an unprecedented pace? The new Certified Canadian Organic label will definitely act as a country of origin barrier to many imported food items.

I saw a commercial for Natrel Milk the other evening and flashed on the screen at the beginning is the statement: "Natrel milk does not contain rBSt or anti-biotics like all milk produced in Canada".

As a consumer education effort it is a baby step, but someone out there understands what I do. Food shoppers are avoiding products when they cannot identify them as Canadian and we better give them the tools in a hurry, before their hard won confidence in our food products is lost.

They do not know that the majority of milk is produced and processed here. Better tell them quick. I can't think of a better use for the blue cow... but boy, you'd better back that up with some fast, high profile info to educate them.