Stewart Wells began his last speech as National Farmers Union president in French but quickly turned to the language of outrage.
The corporate model of agriculture and agri-business has left farmers increasingly powerless and large companies increasingly powerful, the farmers from Swift Current, Sask., told delegates at NFU’s 40th anniversary convention Nov. 26.
For example, he said, Monsanto is developing a blacklist of farmers not allowed to buy Monsanto products, including seed.
“Monsanto and its allies are millimetres away from being able to decide who can farm and who can’t.”
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Net farm income has fallen to an average $125 million annually while farm debt is nearing $60 billion.
The Conservative government abuses or ignores farm groups that disagree with it.
And worse, mainstream farm organizations will not stand up to the government.
“They have become so soft and so scared that they won’t stand up on behalf of their farmer members about what is happening to them.”
He said the NFU is the only farm organization that has been willing to challenge the government and the corporate model.
