POINTE-AU-PIC, Que. – After conceding that federal policy changes helped create farm sector “chaos” in recent years, Canada’s top agricultural bureaucrat last week offered farmers a kinder government face.
Deputy agriculture minister Frank Claydon promised a “no-surprise environment” for a few years, free of the policy changes and trade uproar that marked the past few years.
And in his first official appearance before the Canadian Federation of Agriculture since his June appointment, Claydon said farmers can expect no major policy or funding cut surprises from Ottawa in the near future. He also noted trade rules are set for at least a few years.
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He offered to consult the CFA more on how government should spend its agriculture money and design its food policies.
“I have a sense that we’re at a bit of a turning point,” Claydon said July 25 when he spoke to the CFA annual meeting in this resort community on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River. “We’ve come through a number of quite difficult years, chaotic in a number of ways.”
He said he wanted to change the old antagonisms with a new partnership approach to dealing with farmers.
Reaction cool
Farm leaders who heard the speech said they appreciated Claydon’s promise of no government surprises, but still, some of their reactions were cool or accusatory.
The federal government, by moving aggressively to sign trade deals, cut subsidies, slash spending and deregulate, created much of the chaos, charged Quebec farm leader Laurent Pellerin.
“We helped create the chaos,” replied Claydon. “I admit that.”
Later, Ann Boswell from Prince Edward Island said the problem is far from over where she lives and works.
“Maybe the chaos is over in your shop,” she said. “On my farm, it is just starting.”
She said the effects of feed freight and dairy subsidy cuts, smaller budgets and cost recovery charges will be felt on farms for years.
Still, others were prepared to take his departmental olive branch at face value.
Others more welcoming
“The offer of constructive partnership is really a good move,” said John Kolk of Alberta, a director of the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency. “The concept of a no-surprise environment is important.”
Claydon said he was able to offer that in part because he invited CFA leaders to meet with Agriculture Canada officials before policies and budgets are announced, to help the government plan details.
He said he also assumes last year’s almost 20 percent cut in departmental spending was the last big financial hit planned. And he predicted the government has made all the major policy shifts it plans.
