Now official opposition | Position revealed in minority report on ag committee’s farm policy plan
New Democrats on the House of Commons agriculture committee have offered the first glimpse of the party’s agriculture priorities since it vaulted to official opposition status a year ago.
In many ways, the priorities outlined in the NDP minority report on the next five-year federal-provincial farm policy plan were consistent with past party policy — skepticism about genetic modification, support for local food producers and support for government intervention, whether to support farmers, research or food safety.
There was an underlying unease about the concentration of corporate power in the economy.
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However, the recommendations also reflect the fact that the party now represents scores of rural seats in Quebec, giving the NDP a large rural caucus with many MPs reflecting Quebec voter sensibilities on marketing boards, small-scale farming and the role of government.
The party’s agriculture and rural policy will be fleshed out during the years leading to the 2015 election, but last week’s minority dissenting NDP committee report gave strong early indications of party priorities.
It called for development of a national food strategy with emphasis on differing regional and local needs across the country. The party said policy should support the local food movement, farmers’ markets and local producers.
It called for increased investment in food inspection and safety systems, arguing that “the health of Canadians is at risk” because of changes in food inspection.
The NDP continued its skepticism of biotechnology and genetic modification, calling for a comprehensive government review of regulations governing GM seeds and animals, an “independent body” to assess scientific data before new products are approved and “an immediate moratorium on GE food-animals-fish, alfalfa and wheat until such time as a regulatory review has been conducted and modernized rules brought into effect.”
NDP MPs made clear they think government has a stronger role to play in funding long-term research and not just with industry partners setting the goals.
“Currently, the lack of predictable funding has an impact on research efforts,” said the minority report tabled in late May.
“Research dollars provided by industry may be limited in scope, designed for specific needs of one self-interested company. It is imperative that public research is necessary to fill in gaps left by industry.”
As well, the party demanded more support for co-operatives, which are a powerful force in Quebec.
In his March budget, finance minister Jim Flaherty cancelled millions of dollars in funding through the Cooperative Development Initiative.
The NDP said that money should be put back.
“Co-operatives have been a powerful tool for agricultural and rural development, including both primary production and value-added production,” said the NDP report. “The government has recently cancelled the CDI, a program which since 2003 has helped to develop hundreds of co-ops across Canada.”
Encouragement of co-ops would help counter the concentration of corporate forces in the food processing, distribution and retail sector, said the party position.
And the government should launch an investigation into the impact of vertical integration in the food sector.
“This investigation is critical given the recent changes with grain marketing due to the loss of the Canadian Wheat Board single desk.”
