Fenton farms near Irma, Alta.
The grassroots cattle producers are coming under attack once again, only this time it isn’t what you would first think.
No, it isn’t the border being closed in a snap decision due to a perceived threat of disease or even a new tariff being put in place by a trading partner’s protectionist foreign policy.
This time the attack is coming from our own Alberta government. Ironically, it is the same government whose leader ran a campaign where he declared his concern for the future of the family farm.
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It would be interesting to see, when the curtain is pulled back on premier Ed Stelmach and his government, what private interest groups are at the helm.
The last provincial election was a sign of hope, with many MLAs coming with an agricultural background. I felt there would be knowledgeable thought given to new policy. Many MLAs within the cabinet were people I respect.
I now feel that the people in power have become arrogant and are bulldozing through policy that is in the best interests of a select few.
When an MLA is elected, whether by as little as one vote, the majority of voting public in their constituency have democratically elected their next representative.
Why, then, is the minister of agriculture so opposed to allowing the cattle producers of this province the same rights when it comes to their own organization?
Alberta Beef Producers is the elected representative of 28,000 producers. Each and every producer has the right to sign a nomination form and run as a candidate each fall. They have the right to elect who represents their zone and their industry. They have the right to help set policy and steer the organization for the betterment of our industry.
By making the checkoff refundable, the Alberta government has decided the feedlot industry will control all of the beef industry and that their interests are more important than those of grassroots producers.
On a radio program last week, agriculture ninister George Groeneveld and MLA Doug Griffiths refused to consider a plebiscite, saying that it might be too close of a split. Groeneveld then stated that he would not accept changes if 80 percent of producers disagreed with him.
Griffiths was invited to meet with the elected beef industry representatives in his constituency before Bill 43 was introduced in the legislature. He refused.
When the minister is consulting with beef groups that have fewer than 100 members to direct policy for the entire industry, is it for the good of the entire industry or a select few?
Who will fund legal challenges like country-of-origin labelling, the World Trade Organization and countervails? International legal challenges must be funded by industry. Will the splinter groups pass the hat?
Democracy has fallen out of this government’s vocabulary.
