Status of Resolutions Carried at the March 2006 Annual Business Meeting

Immediate Financial Support
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that an immediate $100/acre for G & O payment be made from governments as a down payment to the R.M.P.
STATUS: While both levels of government recognize that the grain & oilseed sector is experiencing a severe income crisis and have committed some relief, the funds are not enough to ease the crisis. A long-term solution is desperately needed; the lobby efforts continue for RMP.

Funding for Lobbying
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that OCPA greatly increase the amount of money allocated to lobbying. OCPA should consider including lobbying as a budget expense in future years on a continuing basis.
STATUS: OCPA has maintained lobbying as a budget item into the next fiscal period. Grassroots producers are strongly encouraged to continue lobbying at the local level to give more strength to lobby efforts taking place at the provincial and federal levels.

Risk Management Program (RMP)
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we use whatever legal means possible to secure the Risk Management Program.
STATUS: Political will at both levels of government is required to secure a long-term solution such as RMP.

CAIS Replacement
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Corn Producers Association work with the new Government to eliminate the CAIS program and aggressively construct a new risk management program/ cost of production program as soon as possible.
STATUS: On August 29, 2006, the federal government committed to replacing CAIS with a margin-based program that separates catastrophic disaster assistance from income stabilization programming. Ontario’s Grain & Oilseed Safety
Net Working Group established a Federal Lobby Committee to continue lobbying, with the assistance of a federal lobbyist, for a fully funded RMP. Meetings have been taking place with MPs.

Corn Importers
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA assist in the development and publication of a list of importers of U.S. corn that are also the suppliers of Ontario crop inputs to better inform producers prior to crop input decisions.
STATUS: Taken under advisement.

Unified Voice
BE IT RESOLVED that Region 4 corn producers are in favour of One Voice with One Message.
STATUS: OCPA supports a unified voice with a consistent and unified message.

Unified Voice
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that OCPA continue to support the actions of the unified voice coalition.
STATUS: OCPA is supportive of working with the unified voice coalition.

Farmers Feed Cities!
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the “Farmers Feed Cities” campaign be maintained as our key slogan or trademark.
STATUS: The “Farmers Feed Cities!” slogan has been trademarked by the Ontario Grain & Oilseed Safety Net Working Group. The campaign has been very successful at bringing more attention to the farm income crisis.

Spring Loan Programs
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the G & O organizations, along with governments work with the private and public sector to provide a spring loan program that endorses the ideals of the Risk Management Program.
STATUS: The focus of the Grain & Oilseed Safety Net Working Group remains getting the RMP implemented. ESCAP is an example of a spring loan program that OCPA is supporting.

Use of Own Seed
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA lobby the government to allow producers to use their own seed without any penalty on any government regulation.
STATUS: OCPA has always supported, and continues to support producer choice when it comes to planting options.

Terminator Gene
BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA lobby the government against the use of the terminator gene and any other technology that is not to the benefit of producers and society.
STATUS: OCPA has not taken a policy position in regards to terminator technology because of the restrictions imposed on the crop as a result of hybrid varieties.

Environmental Research
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA continue to fund environmental research that develops policy to mitigate the negative impacts to the Clean Water Act.
STATUS: OCPA continues to fund research (ie. Nitrogen Calculator) that works to limit the agricultural footprint on the environment.

ERT Policy Committee
BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA lobby the government to allow farmers to have more voting members on environmental committees.
STATUS: OCPA has always taken the approach of making sure agriculture is well represented on environmental committees.

Grants to Ethanol Plants
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA lobby the government to include a “made in Ontario” clause in the ethanol legislation,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that future grants to ethanol plants be tied to Ontario produced corn used in these plants.
STATUS: OCPA’s long- standing policy position on ethanol is that OCPA supports ethanol produced in Ontario (Canada) using domestically grown corn. This position has been communicated to both levels of government.

Provincial Vote on MOU
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA support asking the Farm Products Marketing Board that an all provincial vote be taken on the final option put before farmers.
STATUS: The Farm Products Marketing Commission will decide if a province-wide producer vote is required. OCPA will support their decision.

Geographic Representation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in the complexities of a merger, determination of both production number of producers and geographic representation be considered.
STATUS: As a result of considerations by the MOU Team, which is comprised of directors from each group, and the MOU Grassroot Producer Advisory Committee, a proposal will be presented which includes district alignment.

Check-off Levies on all Ontario Corn Production
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that levies be paid on all Ontario corn production that is eligible for government support payments, whether it be commercial sales or farm-fed, therefore strengthening the financial ability of the OCPA and the opportunity to lobby and promote our product and industry.
STATUS: Taken under advisement

Check-off Increase
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that check-off be increased to an adequate level until the countervail action is over.
STATUS: OCPA is actively lobbying the Ontario government to increase the check-off.

Conflict of Interest
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this person be asked to resign as Chair of Agricorp.
STATUS: OCPA submitted a letter to Agricorp requesting that they review a potential conflict of interest with the same individual serving as Chair of Agricorp and Chair of CAFTA.

Grassroots Representation on AgriCorp
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA lobby them to have directors on the Agricorp board; be farmer producers, appointees representing grass roots production in the province of Ontario.
STATUS: OCPA is supportive of the majority of the Board being grassroots farmers.

OCPA By-law Number 7
BE IT RESOLVED that By-law Number 7 of OCPA being a By-law amending the Constitution and By-law of OCPA enacted by the Board of Directors on the 19th day of December, 2005, is hereby confirmed without variation or amendment.
STATUS: By-law Number 7 has been enacted.

MOU Process
BE IT RESOLVED that, in view of the result that a majority of Ontario corn, soybean and wheat producers responding to a survey seeking their input, favour one combined organization to represent corn, soybeans and wheat, we proceed with the development of an implementation plan to accomplish this outcome.
As part of this process, a joint grassroots producer committee will be struck to recommend the internal committee structure to ensure that the new organization is responsive to producer interests and appropriately reflects individual commodity interests.
The final implementation plan developed by the organizational working group, with significant input and guidance from the grassroots
producer committee, will be set before producers for a final decision. The implementation plan will include details concerning proposed district representation, check-off, budget and staffing. The ultimate decision on whether a Province-wide producer vote is required will be communicated by the Farm Products Marketing Commission.
STATUS: A Grassroots Advisory Committee was established with their input being incorporated into a presentation being made at OCPA’s
Semi-Annual meeting.