Delegates to Keystone Agricultural Producers’ summer advisory council meeting yesterday passed a resolution that instructs KAP to urge the federal government to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
“In light of the lack of progress with NAFTA and the climate of trade sanctions when it comes to the U.S., we need to see this agreement ratified as soon as possible,” said KAP president Bill Campbell. “It will open market access to numerous Pacific countries, and this will be very beneficial for Canadian agriculture.”
In another resolution, delegates called on KAP to lobby Health Canada not to proceed with its proposed fee increase to veterinary drug manufacturers for reviewing products that are used or will be introduced in Canada.
“The proposal is to increase substantially – up to 500 per cent – the fee that Health Canada is currently charging,” said Campbell. “The current fees are already high and that means drug companies are not marketing drugs to smaller industries such as the Canadian sheep industry. Our producers are being put in a less competitive position in the global marketplace.”
During the meeting, delegates repeatedly raised the need for increased cell coverage, especially after the Alonsa-area tragedy. They noted it is not only necessary for disaster warning, but also for farmers working alone in the field who may experience an accident or medical issue. One delegate said it was very frustrating to be able to see a cell tower, and not have reception.
A resolution was not passed on this issue, as it is already KAP policy to lobby for better service.
Many delegates said their districts were experiencing extremely dry conditions, with some noting that dugouts that have not been empty since the 1980s are drying out. As a result, yields appear to be down for those crops already harvested. Many stressed that hay and forage supplies are dire.
