Ontario Grain & Oilseed Crisis Update (April 1, 2005)

What we need:
The Ontario Grain & Oilseed Group is committed to working with government to meet our three needs for the short, medium and long-term success of Ontario's distressed grain & oilseed industry.

• We need a $300 million immediate cash infusion to make up the shortfall between anticipated revenues from all sources and mounting costs for the 2005 crop.
• Government must implement an adequately funded, effective replacement program for Market Revenue Insurance (MRI).
• Refinements must be made to CATS to make it more effective

What we've done:
Thanks to the attention grain & oilseed producers have called to current farm income crisis, both the federal and provincial government have responded with some much-needed relief for the '04 crop, with a commitment to have funds flowing in the coming weeks.

On March 29, the Ontario Grain & Oilseed Group showed its commitment to further working with the Ontario government by holding a lobby day at Queen's Park, and hosting an informal reception that evening. The reception, which brought out 43 MPPs and 40 agricultural business associates as well as directors from the seven grain & oilseed boards, gave participants an opportunity to share stories and impress the need for further assistance to Ontario's struggling grain & oilseed sector.

Thank you to the 40 MPPs and the many bureaucrats and senior staff who have taken the time to meet with grain & oilseed representatives already.

Summary:
The Ontario Grain & Oilseed Group acknowledges that last week's announcements - of $79 million from the provincial government for the '04 crop and $480 million for grains & oilseeds nationwide -are a critical first step in helping producers during this critical time.

Last week's Grain & Oilseed MPP reception at Queen's Park was an opportunity to acknowledge the additional help for the '04 crop, and impress upon MPPs that we still need to work on our longer-term strategy for '05 crop and beyond.

Next Steps:
The Ontario Grain & Oilseed group is committed to continue our lobby efforts and work with the government to secure an adequately funded MRI replacement for '05 and beyond, and refinements to CAIS. In addition, the Group has announced a commitment to strike an advisory panel of grower representatives to effectively advise the government on options for these program changes.

What producers can do:
Our lobby efforts are at a critical stage, and it is important that growers and the farm community stick with us, and continue to support our efforts to put Ontario's grain & oilseed industry back on stable ground, even as we head into this busy planting season. Our message has been heard by many MPPs, but it is vital that Ontario grain & oilseed producers keep the pressure on our government to meet our longer term needs. Visit the Ontario Federation of Agriculture's website at www.ofa.org for templates to help plan these meetings. Growers can also visit the website of every grain & oilseed organization to obtain a copy of the grain & oilseed position paper. Producers can also write letters to the editor of the publications you read, and phone in to the radio stations you listen to - particularly local and national urban media. Help correct misinformation and tell your own story about how this farm income crisis is affecting you.

Ontario Grains and Oilseed Groups:
Ontario White Bean Producers' Marketing Board
Ontario Canola Growers' Association
Ontario Coloured Bean Growers' Association
Ontario Corn Producers' Association
Ontario Soybean Growers
Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board
Seed Corn Growers of Ontario