Dear
Editor:
Hats off to your Farmers Forum publication. Two
articles in your January issue hit the mark! The first article
entitled, "Myth Buster" covered University of Guelph economist
Brian Doidge’s comments at the Corn Producer’s Annual Meeting. Doidge
is quoted as saying, "Our farmers biggest problems is we don’t mean
a damn thing to the politicians. Canadian politicians don’t
understand that grain and oil seed prices are no longer determined by
supply and demand but by subsidies. At the World Trade Organization
talks a decade ago everyone agreed to cut back on subsidies. But the U.S.
rate is now 88 per cent higher than it was 10 years ago and the situation
is going to get worse. Only Canada took the WTO seriously and cut
subsidies".
Your editorial titled, "Grains and Oils Need Action,
Mr. Coburn" was also right on the money. Although I am a great
fan of Mr. Coburn, your remarks were most pertinent. Time is indeed
running out for agriculture in this province. As your editorial
states: "In October the Quebec government committed $305 million per
year for seven years. The United States is poised to pass a US $17
billion farm bill. A little action and less dithering, Mr. Coburn,
before farming in Ontario is left behind by its more visionary
neighbours".
Everyone has heard the phrase "Nice guys finish
last". It’s high time that Ontario’s farmers stopped being
"nice guys".
Dwight Eastman
Kinburn, Ontario
Farmer & Councillor, City of Ottawa, West Carleton Ward
