OTTAWA – The fault line between the farm chemical industry, its customers and the new federal regulatory agency is still sharply defined despite a two-day meeting to try to bridge the divide.
At issue is the $28 million annual budget for the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and its determination to recover more than $16 million of that in fees to the industry.
“We’re still not satisfied at all,” said Ron Cameron of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, after a meeting between a coalition of farm chemical industry allies and the agency.
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More meetings are planned but the basic problem remains.
“They have a budget of $28 million. We think that could be reduced by $6 million and that would come right off the user fees,” Cameron said Sept. 29. “Their view is that the budget has been cut so much that they are as tight as an onion skin with no room to move. We don’t accept that.”
Two weeks ago, representatives of farmers, chemical manufacturers and distributors met with staff of the PMRA to talk about the budget. At the end of the session, Cameron said there were two small signs of hope:
- The agency suggested it could delay hiring 14 compliance officers, at a saving of $1 million. Cameron said that is fine, but farmers continue to resent the agency’s assumption that farm chemical users cannot be trusted and need a large monitoring overseer group to ensure compliance.
Not given respect
“We feel we are one of the most compliant groups around and we do not get credit for that,” said Cameron. “They are treating us as if we are still hay shakers and that we need to be watched.”
- The agency is considering a coalition proposal to have an “economic stakeholders” overseer and advisory group to watch over the performance of the PMRA.
“They have not said yes but they have not said no, so that is encouraging,” said the southwest Ontario farmer.
Still, the industry group remains suspicious that the agency is “fudging” its costs and loading unnecessary costs onto farmers.
Cameron said there are rumors that health minister David Dingwall, responsible for the agency, will impose the fees this winter without further consultation.
He said the group has been trying to meet with Dingwall, but he has been avoiding them.
“He has been reluctant to hold a meeting with any of us,” said Cameron. “I guess he has other priorities.”
