Ottawa lobbyists know how to lobby, but they say they don’t do it best.
It’s farmers who make the best case for agriculture, so they should join farm organizations to make their voices heard, the Keystone Agricultural Producers annual convention was told.
Related story: Farmers urged to make sure decision-makers hear them
“Get involved in KAP. Get involved in your provincial organization,” Pierre Petelle, president of CropLife Canada, said in a panel discussion.
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“Pay attention to what your provincial organization is doing because they are connected to the national group.”
Senator Rob Black said farmers are more convincing to politicians than lobbyists.
“The message comes through best when it’s the on-the-ground person,” said Black.
“When I’m sitting around the table I want to hear from them.”
Farmer representatives have many opportunities to speak with provincial and federal politicians, government officials, regulators and representatives of other interests and industries. That helps to get farmer viewpoints into the public consciousness, into policy development and away from being hijacked by activists.
“It’s one thing for me to meet with an MP or a senator, but I’m a lobbyist,” said Petelle.
“It’s very different when you have an actual producer who can deliver the same message but talk about (what it means on their farm.) I’ve seen so many effective meetings that cut to the chase and seen that value much, more more quickly.”
