Several years ago Ted Menzies, a Claresholm, Alta., grains and specialty crops producer, started keeping better track of his on-farm production practices, chemical use and environmental records.
The president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association figures it is self-defence, the only way to stay ahead of growing consumer demand for information.
“I just don’t think we’re that far away from the consumer wanting to know where and how the food was grown,” he said in an interview from his farm July 2.
“I know I’ve started to keep far better records on my own farm. I grow four different kinds of wheat and six different kinds of peas and they are all identity-preserved, at least as long as they are on my farm.”
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Agree with agenda
Menzies thinks federal and provincial agriculture ministers were on the right track last week when they endorsed in principle a long-term agriculture policy that stresses sustainable farm environment practices, on-farm food safety systems and identity preservation for tracking.
“I think this recognizes that we have to increase farmer’s profiles as to how we are seen in the public,” he said. “We are good stewards. We do produce safe food. This will provide a system to measure and confirm that.”
Safety nets to improve
Canadian Federation of Agriculture vice-president Marvin Shauf from Saskatchewan Wheat Pool said the promise to maintain and improve safety nets was welcome.
“Economic viability is the foundation on which these principles are built and we were pleased to see this agreement looks at additional ways to mitigate potential risks to the income of farmers, while stressing that safety net programs remain critical,” he said in a statement from Whitehorse.
From his farm at Mozart, Sask., Evans Thordarson, vice-president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, said the overall direction seems fine but he wondered if governments are prepared to put in the money needed to maintain safety nets when markets or weather fail.
“The thing I wonder is whether they are trying to buy a Cadillac with peanuts.”
In Manitoba, Keystone Agricultural Producers president Don Dewar said long-term planning is fine but politicians have to pay more attention to short-term problems.
“They have to realize we have a short term as well and they can’t just tear up safety nets.”
