It is time for farmers around the world to “grab governments by the throat” to convince them that primary producers must have more market power, says the president of the world’s largest farm lobby.
“World food markets are not working,” International Federation of Agricultural Producers president Jack Wilkinson said Feb. 24 in a speech to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. “I think we have an opportunity to put pressure on governments. The idea of development really requires stronger farm sectors in many countries. I think we have to grab governments by the throat to force them to pay attention to us.”
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The IFAP president, a former CFA president and an Ontario farmer, said the current international trade negotiation push for deregulation and a sharp cut in government support for farmers is incomprehensible.
Farmers around the world are increasingly facing the power of multinational corporations and realizing their vulnerability, said Wilkinson.
“We have a right to demand that governments rebalance the position of the farmers in the food chain.”
He said the only solution is governments that want to use agriculture as an engine of economic growth. They must understand how weak farmers are in the economic system and take measures to increase farmer power.
He told reporters that the farm groups promoting a freer trade solution, a sharp slash in domestic support and cuts in all tariff protections are na•ve. Canada’s farm lobby at world trade talks is sharply divided between those who want maximum free trade, including a reduction in protection available to supply management, and those who insist trade can increase while protecting sensitive commodities.
“I don’t understand what is happening right now,” he said. “Simple solutions do not solve complex problems and the issue of farmer power in the economy is a complex problem.”
