National Food Policy

Liberals launch consultations on food safety

OTTAWA - The Liberal opposition announced today the beginning of a nation-wide consultative process to establish a comprehensive national food policy designed to protect the health of Canadians, Liberal Health Critic Carolyn Bennett and Liberal Agriculture Critic Wayne Easter said today.

“As we search for solutions to shore up our economic health, we must remember that health and social safety nets are essential ingredients to boosting the economy,” said Dr. Bennett. “Stephen Harper may have locked the doors on Parliament but the Liberal Party is continuing to work for Canadians.”

“Canadians are expecting us to work together to deliver a stimulus package that boosts the economy, creates jobs, and improves our social safety net. A comprehensive food policy for Canada is one way that we can improve our economic and social health,” added Mr. Easter.

In addition to Dr. Bennett and Mr. Easter, Associate Health Critic Kirsty Duncan and fellow MPs Brian Murphy, Lise Zarac, Anita Neville and Mike Savage will be instrumental in the consultative process.Liberal MPs and past candidates will be traveling the country in January speaking to Canadians and seeking input on various aspects of a comprehensive food policy, including:

the global forces of food security;
ecological threats to food security;
food production/distribution;
food safety and public health; and
food security and poverty.

“If we fail to include health and social issues in a stimulus package, we are destined to come up short in our attempt to help" said Dr. Duncan.

You have to give Mr. Easter credit for continuing to battle for what is best for Farmers and Canadians. It looks like he is getting more support for these ideas. Farmers and consumers need to be part of this process.-CG

Another Remembrance Day

For Dad - citygirl

Someone IS paying attention....

While researching for more material on the listeria outbreaks in Canada, I ran across an interesting Blog site on the topic. It is called : Marler Blog

In it he has many American articles but he also details outbreaks from Canada, as well. There are other links from the site to many,many other blogs and webs that discuss this issue in detail.

Food processors and producers need to pay attention here, this fellow is a LAWYER. Litigation over due diligence and plant and processing standards, regardless of the size of the processor (here I am thinking of those 'on farm' plants) is rampant. The media isn't talking bout this either.

Go and check it out.

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.

Food Safety Anyone???

Remember the BSE crisis in the dairy and beef industry? Remember that Canadian beef has JUST started to be acceptable in some export jurisdictions? Remember the devastation wrought in our breeding export industry? Farmers in these industries are far from recovery.

Now, place all of that struggle next to dead pets, contaminated imported toothpaste, vitamins, baby food and all kinds of 'other' issues surrounding the import of our food products. What is our federal government's on-going plan to help farmers and consumers? Take a look at these articles and weep.

No Risk From Mad Cow Case, Ottawa Says
Canwest News Service Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Who pays cost for food safety?
Calgary Herald Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Mad cuts?
The Edmonton Journal

In a time that calls for more regulation of our food from the front end or the imported stuff and THIS is what they come up with. Farmers and consumers alike should be outraged!!!!!!!!

The struggling agriculture sector does not need more costs downloaded to it. And a national program that pays for very expensive, necessary BSE testing, should be the LAST place the budget should be cut. Testing is the very crux of improving and maintaining consumer confidence. You know, that group of people who actually buy food to eat? The same ones who have been crying out for MUCH improved labelling on a number of fronts, from 'Made or grown in Canada' to transfats and other stuff on labels that basically confuses the heck out of us all.

The articles tell us plenty. BSE is not the only poison pill they are hoping to load onto unsuspecting Canadians.

In a world of rising fuel and food costs, food security is what Canadians are talking about. I never dreamed that this government would be so out of touch with what Canadians really want. It wasn't too long ago that the woeful LACK of Canadian Food Inspection Agency testing was a hot topic.

Better scream loud and long.

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.

WTO Storm Clouds again?

I haven't been paying a lot of attention to recent WTO activity. Besides, it's been kinda quiet out there. But when contradictory stuff appears 'out there' , wise citizens concerned about our ability to continue to feed ourselves need to pay attention. So too, do farm organizations for turkey, eggs, milk and chicken.

As noted in a Dairy Farmer's of Canada newsletter, last week, Supply Management (dairy) and the government's support for it, was detailed in question period. That was the first rumble.

About the same time the Ontario Farmer arrived and in it was a letter to the editor from former Senator Jim Tunney. This is the second rumble.

Entitled: 'Wheat Board Politics are of the worst kind', his letter gives some very interesting insights into the scanky and contradictory activities by the government, with regards to the Canadian Wheat Board. It is a quick history that all farmers and citizens should read. The last point in the whole letter is the part that made me pause:

Farmers want to trust our ministers, but have doubts when we see the results of a referendum and then hear another senior minister, David Emerson warn poultry and dairy farmers that they should prepare to find another way than with supply management to market their production.- Jim Tunney, Grafton

These are remarks Mr. Tunney, obviously knows about or has seen written, by the Minister for International Trade, the Hon. David Emerson.

Now Mr. Tunney has a respected background. He " was a director of the Dairy Farmers of Canada for 18 years and of the Dairy Bureau of Canada for 8 years. He was also a director of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board, representing farmers in six counties including his native Northumberland County. "[English]

During his term as Senator he was a member of the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Forestry. He is, as I would term it, "plugged in". His concern for supply management and the Dairy Farmers of this country is well known.

If farmers know what's good for them they need to have a hard look at the Hon. David Emerson and his government. No matter what they have said, are saying or will say, their track record with the Wheat Board is not calculated to inspire confidence in their activities with the WTO.

At the very least, supply managed farmers need to figure out what kind of options they may have to derail any stupidity coming from this government.-CG

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 .

Again!!?!?!

I was doing a bit of trolling to-day and found a couple of interesting articles that I think merit posting on this site.

One refers to Loblaws and the infamous Pear Juice recall of late.

Tainted juices pulled from Loblaws' shelves
Arsenic in organic children's pear drinks puzzles investigators
Louisa Taylor , The Ottawa Citizen (see complete article ...)

While I was browsing that site I came across another one.... this time about Food Safety... again.

Safety at the table
The Leader-Post (Regina 2008) (See complete article..)

Things have been reasonably quiet of late but these articles and concerns about Food Safety keep popping up. The Tainted Juice story came along quick enough to just put the cap on the jug, so to speak.

The Leader-Post takes readers partway down the road of 'what if'. In my opinion this is just the beginning because far too few have thought that one out.

What if .. our border closes again? It is far from impossible... all it could take is a little bird flu epidemic in the wrong place. What if a major processor is shut down for contamination of some sort? What if we have more drought in the wrong county? What if ... gas becomes too expensive or in short supply?

How will we feed ourselves then? I really don't want to think about this one. It means one heck of a lot of HARD work. I have canned and preserved and stored food before. It is not an activity that I am keen to return to ... but like a lot of consumers out there if I must, I must and will. - CG

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

Tit for Tat?

Just prior to the news release by the Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz, this article showed up in the news wire:

MPs say time for feds to abandon barley campaign
Updated Wed. Feb. 27 2008 4:27 PM ET
The Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Opposition MPs say it's time for the government to abandon its campaign to end the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on sales of western barley.
Liberal Wayne Easter says consecutive losses in the courts make it clear that the government can't go on.

He says the move to allow farmers the choice of selling their barley themselves or through the board threatens the existence of the marketing agency.

The Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal have both ruled that the government can't change the barley marketing rules through regulations and must follow a process set out in the Canadian Wheat Board Act.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says western producers support the change and the government will bring in legislation to allow them a choice.

The opposition parties have said they'll fight such legislation.

Obviously, this was like waving a red flag to a bull and they are just as unpredictable.-CG

Where will YOUR Food come From?

This sad little article I noted recently, is a sign of the times. Just one in another long line of food processors leaving this province. It begs the question; just where ARE they going TO?

CanGro to close; Local peach growers to make tough decisions
Posted By BOB BOUGHNER
Posted 5 days ago

The imminent closure of a fruit processing plant in St. Davids will leave nearly a dozen Chatham-Kent farmers without a market for their peaches and pears.

"It will leave me with little choice but to rip out my 17 acres of processing peach trees," veteran Cedar Springs farmer John McGuigan said Friday.

The owner of McGuigan Orchards said growers were informed a few weeks ago that the CanGro Fruit Canning Plant in St. Davids, near St. Catharines, will close March 31.

Both the company's St. Davids facility and another in Exeter are scheduled for closure unless a buyer is found. "That's highly unlikely," said McGuigan. "It's cheaper for processors to import peaches from China and Greece than it is to grow them here."

McGuigan said the plant closure would remove any market for clingstone peaches or peaches grown specifically for the processing industry. (more...)

It amazes me that a company one would hope is looking towards its future growth, etc., would make such a stupid move. Have they not been listening to Ontario consumers? Even our mainstream media have noticed something may be wrong with the food system. In a time when consumers are clamoring for "local" products it is insane, that Ontario's only remaining peach processing plants should be closing!!!

I don't want to purchase canned peaches from some other country!!! If the big food retailers in Ontario can't supply me with Ontario canned peaches, I may have to dust off the canning jars. I can guaranty a lot of other people will be trying to do the same thing too.

Are our local food supplys secure? If all the major food chains go looking for a 'local' supply, I am convinced that many people will be shocked at the state of affairs out there.

Any sovereign state/county/province wanting to safeguard it's citizens, MUST look at these situations in a different way than in the past.

Maybe it is time our provincial government started to take a hard look at what is going on out there.

Storm clouds gather again!

Well, I guess we all have our answer about what the current federal government's next move would be , after the courts over-ruled their actions against the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TABLES AMENDMENTS TO THE CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD ACT TO ENSURE BARLEY MARKETING FREEDOM

OTTAWA, Ontario, March 3, 2008

The Government of Canada today introduced amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board Act that would clear the way for barley marketing freedom and introduce a requirement respecting commercial dispute resolution. The announcement was made by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. (more)

The continued soap opera from Ottawa has hit a new low. The issue of this legislation coming to Parliament puts to rest the fairy tale that they might just be putting on a show for their constituents over election promises.

They obviously will go to just about any lengths to get what they want. Oh, and if they make this one a non confidence motion everyone on the good guy's side will have some very hard thinking to do. When I suggested this scenario in an earlier post, I NEVER believed it could come to this.

Is it time NOW for the opposition to put this government out of it's misery? Because of course, if the legislation passes, the death throws of the Wheat Board struggle will be next.

I don't think agriculture can let that happen. Farm organizations and their allies better think about this one very, very hard. There are very few options left out there for agriculture and it would be a mistake of enormous proportions to let others destroy something that has worked so well for so long.

Just how many political friends does agriculture have left and does it even have the guts to take this one to the wall?

Somebody must really have a lot to gain on this one. My vote is for the big guns ADM and Cargill.

For a minority government to continue to flaunt it's disregard for the courts, the industry, the economy and what producers' want, reminds you of an arrogant bully, who is so convinced he is 'right' , he will do anything, anything, to get his way.

Because, of course, the rest of us are too stupid to really know what is good for us.

Meanwhile, Canada's wiggle room to salvage anybody or save anything has craftily and carefully been removed.

PM gradually 'tightening the screws' on gov't: ex-advisor
By Alexander Panetta, THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA - Perhaps the most significant act of the Harper government is being conducted so slowly, steadily, and silently that it has raised barely a whisper of public debate. (more)

I think I feel a very cold, cold wind blowing over us all. - CG

Free Trade Fiasco

The Free Trade mantra, espoused by governments, policy makers, agri-businesses and foolish farmers is a failing model. The sooner all come to realise this, the better.

In the current climate of the failing American economy (the sub-prime mess), with the climbing euro and off-set by the devalued US dollar, strange things are happening out there. Canada is not the only country affected by this state of affairs.

The most recent hardly believable announcement is from Germany's BMW company.

BMW plans to increase US production while cutting workers in Germany

Published: Monday, March 10, 2008 4:46 AM ET
Canadian Press: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBIA, South Carolina - BMW says it will cut 7.5 per cent of its work force in Germany over two years while increasing production in the U.S. by more than 50 per cent by 2012.

"This is completely driven by the plunge in the dollar," said Greg Gardner with Oliver Wyman, publisher of the Harbour Report on automotive manufacturing activity. "It is untenable to produce at a much higher cost in Germany.".... (see full article)


Who would have thought, even 18 months ago, that things like this would come to pass. A lot of us are familiar with the sight of plant closures and lost jobs, because for years, north American jobs have moved from Canada and the US to : Mexico, India, China and any other country that had a cheap workforce and could show the mega companies more profit.

The same sort of silliness had been happening to our food processing sector (The Smithville Hershy's plant is a good example).

Bizarre as it seems, the United States, with it's incredibly weak dollar, is now as good as any third world country, for plants to locate in.

Now I say that with tongue in cheek, because of course until recently, we had that fortunate or unfortunate position, depending on your industry and point of view.

There were also some voices in the wilderness that warned a low dollar (for whatever reason) was NOT a reliable strategy for survival in the long term. It places an indirect 'cost' out there to someone, somewhere, and that is a shaky building for any economy. Indeed, at one time the United States was accusing China of having pegged its currency artificially low and where threatening to have the IMF (International Monetary Fund) intervene.

If we stay locked into this ridiculous cycle of boom and bust, that allows companies to close and open plants anywhere in the world they can see an edge, no one will ever win. Sooner or later affected countries will slip into some similar cycle of economic down term (caused by the job losses,etc.) that has plants and companies coming back, only to see the same cycle for other countries affected by the new job losses.

Another way to look at things is to consider that jobs are being stolen from one country by the next and as each new country reaches some pinnacle of high currencyand strong economy, jobs leave, pushing said country over the edge.

Is this any way to run a world economy?

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

Canadain Wheat Board Wins ..... NOW What!!!

Consider the latest headlines about the Canadian government's blatant campaign to flout parliament and destroy farmer's bargaining power in these recent headlines:

Conservatives lose court battle over wheat board, showdown in Parliament looming

or

Battle over barley resumes

or

RULING CONFIRMS FARMERS’ RIGHT TO DETERMINE CWB FUTURE the National Farmers Union Press Release

or

MPs say time for feds to abandon barley campaign from CTV news .

So just what is propelling, compelling the government to push so hard to destroy farmer's marketing power? Free trade dogma or just the Alberta connection? Regardless, it is making them look a little ridiculous as they announce their latest salvo in response to the news above:

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON COURT DECISION ON MARKETING CHOICE FOR BARLEY

OTTAWA, Ontario, February 26 2008

The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today issued the following statement in response to a Federal Court of Appeal decision on the Government of Canada's appeal of the Federal Court ruling which maintained that the Canadian Wheat Board Regulations must be changed through legislation.

"I am disappointed with the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal. We will carefully review the decision and decide on our next steps accordingly. "

This Government understands that farmers work hard to grow the grain they sell and they should get the best price possible for that work. As a matter of fact, over 62 per cent of Western Canadian farmers voted in support of barley marketing freedom last year.

We are committed to providing the marketing choice Western Canada's grain producers have demanded and deserve. Producers need market certainty and we will continue working to provide it to them.

This Government is committed to pursuing all avenues to deliver market freedom to Western barley producers. We will be moving ahead quickly with legislation to give them this freedom.

1-866-345-7972
613-759-1059

The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz

So, is it possible the next battle will be in the legislature? If so, farmers and supporters of collective marketing had better sharpen their swords.-CG

Don't they have Better Things To DO??

I am completely fed up with the high jinks from the current 'new government' . Among a list of stupidities they have gone after the Canadian Wheat Board again. At least it appears that way.

This past weeks offerings include:

Opposition parties see interference in firing of agency official

Wheat Board fires official who criticized government

PM makes 'em gag-Harperites muzzle opposition beyond Parliament Hill


WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - Ian White, a veteran of Australia's grain trade, will become the next head of the Canadian Wheat Board, one of the world's largest grain exporters, Canada's agriculture minister said on Wednesday.

I also found this article published last fall in the Western Dairy Farmer by Wendy R. Holm called 'Beware a Conservative Majority'. It is an issue dairy farmers need to monitor closely.

And if the PM has his way it looks like we will be forced into an election by hook or by crook. If it isn't Afghanistan ... they will make sure it's the Crime Bill or the Budget or...........-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.

Local Milk ??

The Canadian consumer is upset but they are not screaming at their MP's or sending volumes of letters. This would be a helpful response for the farm industry in this county. It might wake legislators up. However, don't hold your breath.

Instead, busy consumers are doing other things to protect themselves from the onslaught of imported foods. They are freezing fresh vegetables they bought this season from markets and stores, that they know are local/regionally sourced. Fruit cellars and root cellars are topics of interest again. The Local food movement is growing by leaps and bounds.

So what about milk?

In discussion with just about anyone who supports local food movements it becomes very clear they have no idea how milk and milk products are supplied to plants in this province. They also don't seem to realize that the farm down the road is the supplier of their product and his milk could go to any of those plants.

According to Dairy Farmers of Ontario, this province has 76 milk processors. They list 10 of the largest and most well know on their links page. Why not on their "Comsumer page" too?

Somehow though, the dis-connect between even dairy farmers and consumers remains. The average guy is just not going to go looking for this info. They assume 'organic' is local, because for decades it was!

For the rest of the ag industry, less well funded and less focused on this issue, virtually NO information is getting to THEIR consumers about the issues in their industry that they need the buying public to understand.

Farmers are in despair and consumers are looking for local solutions. Meanwhile the largest, most efficient distributor of food products (the food retailers), is bringing food into their stores that I and many other consumers do not want!!!

It is in with-in the power of farmers to act. It will not be cheap. The buying public MUST find out what is going on. For many of them the major source of their information is the local media.

If newspapers and television will not provide the public with the information they need, then farmers and their organizations need to do much, much more to solve this problem.

A 'Grown in Canada' label is a good thing for us all. However, without pressure from the public, this is a slow road to salvation and I don't believe we have the luxury of time on our side.

Farmers and their organizations have all the information the public needs. They need to share it.

'Tis the Season.....

Sigh .... Christmas IS over and here we are barely into the new year and the attacks have already begun.

Dairy farmers have attracted some very powerful enemies, as I have mentioned before. Take the recent article in The Toronto Sun .

Land of milk and money

Canadians are paying more while drinking less of it, as other nations clamour for a sip -- so why aren't we exporting any?
By THANE BURNETT, NATIONAL BUREAU

The world is skimming the bottom of the milk bottle.
But, to the disappointment of some Canadians, we're not about to sell full glasses to others.
In countries such as Canada and Australia, the most natural drink next to water is fighting hard for dwindling fridge space.

Canadians are drinking less milk and eating far less butter than they did two decades ago, while in the land Down Under, the drop in dairy sales is almost three times as much.

Our market gets smaller, while beyond our borders a thirst grows, leading some to wonder why Canada is not following Australia's lead and changing its protected system to meet a global demand -- something which could cut prices here at home. read more....

This one has quite a twist in it as of course Canadian dairy farmers could send more milk out there into the world IF the World Trade Organization (WTO) and certain other countries would let them.

The article , of course fails to point this out, leaving ordinary Canadians think that Canadian dairy farmers don't get it. We don't have to look too far for the slanted source of this doggerel.

The writer quotes the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association(CRFA). Committed enemies of Canadian dairy farmers, they even have a plan they would like the government to follow.

Of course this would benefit them and recent events have shown, would not benefit dairy farmers at all. Continued reliance on the dollar and exports have nearly destroyed the beef and pork sectors.

Retail prices have nothing to do with farmers and everything to do with the strangle hold our food retailers have on the industry. I am disappointed that the writer pays lip service to dairy representatives and only puts forward those statistics in favour of his view.

I would not be surprised if those had been given to him by the CRFA, too!

The article is full of stats which have been successfully countered many times. Just good enough to leave people wondering. A rather unique twist though on the "shortage" side.

These people are just not going to let up. I checked their web page just to see what they are up to and dairy figures prominently on their website.

Under Menu Price Parity they have a number of beefs. Here is one:

Canadian consumers and restaurant owners pay among the world’s highest prices for supply-managed dairy and poultry products.

Canadian restaurant owners report paying up to 40% more than their U.S. counterparts do for supply managed dairy and poultry products.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream are among the most widely used food items in a typical restaurant, but Canadian restaurateurs are forced to pay some of the world’s highest prices. They are prohibited from buying these products outside of Canada, with import tariffs of up to 300%. Similar restrictions are in place for chicken, turkey and eggs.

This antiquated supply management system doesn’t exist in the U.S., where restaurant operators are free to source their products from their supplier of choice and negotiate a price that’s fair to both parties. It’s important to note that Canadian restaurateurs rely on fresh, high quality Canadian food products, and they want to work with producers to expand their markets. But they also need those products to be competitively priced.

You can also check out their slanted complaints about milk prices here...

Hmmmm... they might even have this claptrap posted in their restaurants.

The dairy industry needs to pull up it's bootstraps and plan a serious long term counter attack! Time to call in the experts, boys.