Resolutions Carried at the 2006 Semi-Annual Meeting

RESOLUTIONS PERTAINNIG TO CHECK-OFF FEES
* WHEREAS the cost of operating most farm organizations and boards is steadily increasing, and
WHEREAS other organizations, e.g. OFA and OSG, have been allowed fee increases, and
WHEREAS the OCPA delegates passed a resolution in March 2006 supporting a check-off fee increase, and
WHEREAS there has been little action on that resolution,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA demand an immediate checkoff fee increase from the government as directed by the delegates representing the corn producers of Ontario.
* WHEREAS pursuant to Resolution #9 passed at the 2006 Annual General Meeting, the OCPA has been lobbying the Ontario Government to increase the licence fee (also known as check-off) authorized under the Grain Corn Marketing Act, and
WHEREAS the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has requested that OCPA further consult with its membership on this issue, and
WHEREAS an increase in check-off will allow OCPA to continue its multipronged attack against unfairly traded U.S. grain corn, and
WHEREAS OCPA members have debated the merits of increasing the check-off and believe that it is necessary for the long-term financial stability of the OCPA, and
WHEREAS Regions 1, 10 and 15 have all submitted resolutions confirming support for an increase in the check-off,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that OCPA continue to lobby the Ontario Government to increase check-off,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that check-off should be increased by not less than $0.20 - $0.30/tonne.
RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO SAFETY NETS
* WHEREAS corn is still being pressured by increased input costs and low corn prices,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA continue to lobby for a fully funded Risk Management Program.
* WHEREAS failed WTO negations are allowing disastrous prices caused by the U.S. Farm Bill to continue, and
WHEREAS both levels of government admit CAIS does not counter the injury of the U.S Farm Bill for grains and oilseed farmers, and
WHEREAS the Senate Ag Committee has recommended an immediate direct payment for grains and oilseed farmers for the next four years plus the implementation of a Canadian Farm Bill, and
WHEREAS the National Liberal Rural Caucus has recommended:
1. that an immediate one-time cash investment into the agricultural sectors, at the primary producer level, of $3.66 billion or 60% of the deficiency in realized net income ($6.1 billion over the past four years according to CFA’s Measuring the Farm Income Crisis report),
2. that Ontario’s Grains & Oilseeds Risk Management Program merits continued support,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OCPA lobby both levels of government for an emergency payment based on the RMP Proposal until a new Canadian Farm Bill including companion programs such as RMP are developed to address the impact of the U.S. Farm Bill.