With a “telephone blitz” on the go to garner participation for next week’s public consultation on agriculture, it’s expected there will be a good turnout.
The consultation on the “Next Generation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Policy,” sponsored by the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture, will be held this Monday (Feb. 12) at the Emo Legion.
“We’ve already had a few people sign up,” noted RRFA secretary Linda Armstrong, adding they are calling people and giving them a few days to decide.
The federal, provincial, and territorial governments are looking for input on the ag policy framework and public consultations are being held across the country.
Initially, Rainy River District hadn’t been included in these consultations. But after an invitation from the RRFA, Ruth Hawkins, deputy director for the consultations, agreed to come here.
“It’s awesome that people would come listen to us here, instead of us having to travel or be hooked up by teleconference,” Armstrong remarked. “I think it’ll be an awesome learning curve for the district . . . and it’s also exposure for the district.”
The consultation will allow area farmers, commodity groups, and residents to voice their opinions and concerns about ag policies and regulations.
“We’re going to have regulations, but let’s really reinforce the message that we have to be able to live with those regulations and put some suggestions on the table,” said RRFA president Trish Neilson.
“And if we don’t do that, then we have only ourselves to blame.”
But Armstrong stressed people can just come and listen to the consultation; they won’t be forced to participate.
“I really think we’ll get a good turnout,” she added. “It’s important for the future of agriculture and the economy in the Rainy River District.”
In addition to public consultations, stakeholders also are invited to make their views known online by visiting www.agr.gc.ca/nextgen
Discussion documents, such as papers outlining current and future challenges and a series of economic backgrounders providing information on broad trends, also are available on this website.
The focus will be on collecting input from across the spectrum of stakeholders and exchanging ideas of the future of agriculture and agri-food in Canada.
This is the second round of consultations being held to develop the new policy framework.
Round three will begin in March, with invited stakeholders analyzing the input and providing consolidated input to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
The current Agricultural Policy Framework agreements expire in 2008 so a new framework is expected to be implemented by then.
Anyone interested in attending the Feb. 12 session at the Emo Legion is asked to call Armstrong (852-3645) or Neilson (487-2519).
It will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and lunch will be provided.
Fort Frances Times
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