Alberta pulse farmers have added a second voice to speak on their behalf on national policy issues.
Alberta Pulse Growers has joined Grain Growers of Canada, an Ottawa based farm lobby group that represents the interests of 90,000 grain, pulse and oilseed producers.
“We have seen sustained increases in pulse crop acreage and with this growth our producers have become more aware of how national policies can help or hinder our success as farmers,” said Alberta Pulse Growers commissioner Barry Grabo.
“Belonging to this national association gives our members far more influence on the federal policies we need to be successful as farmers.”
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The group said it has received excellent representation from Pulse Canada on transportation, trade and other national and international issues and remains “strongly committed” to that organization. But there are other files where the association felt it had little influence in Ottawa.
“There were certain things that (Pulse Canada) just doesn’t have the resources to do. The safety net issue was the one that really stood out.”
Grain Growers is one of the national organizations MPs call upon when seeking advice on policy development, and Alberta Pulse Growers wanted to have a seat at the Grain Growers’ table, one that will cost $25,000 annually in membership fees.
In addition to the input it will receive on the safety net issue, Grabo said the philosophies of the two entities mesh well when it comes to marketing issues. They both support abolishing the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk powers and believe in the importance of Canada entering bilateral trade negotiations so Canadian farmers don’t lose ground to their counterparts in the United States.
Despite the work Pulse Canada has done on the transportation file, the Alberta group felt it was important to have another voice when it comes to that crucial policy issue.
“Grain Growers is very heavily involved in that level of service inquiry and there is certainly value there,” said Grabo, who is past-president of Alberta Pulse Growers and the group’s representative on the Grain Growers’ board of directors.
Grain Growers president Ross Ravelli said the philosophy of the provincial commodity group fits nicely with the vision of the national organization.
“The 4,500 farmer members of the Alberta Pulse Growers bring expertise to our board on the many issues facing their sector, and we are looking forward to their input and perspective,” he said.
