Keystone Agricultural Producers’ farmer delegates from across the province gathered last week to discuss relevant and timely agricultural issues, and to set the direction for the organization for the year ahead.
The following 24 resolutions were debated at the annual meeting and have become KAP policy:
ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION
Marked Fuel Tax Benefit
• That KAP lobby the provincial government to investigate marked fuel dealers to ensure That the full 11.5 cents per litre tax savings is being passed on to tax exempt purchasers.
Food Safety Procedures Compensation
• That KAP lobby the federal government to put in place a tax credit to compensate producers for extra efforts in completing on-farm food safety procedures.
BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT
Support for Interlake Farmers
• That KAP support District 10 farmers in their efforts to lobby for compensation from both the federal and provincial governments for losses and costs due to excess moisture experienced in the summer of 2008.
Crop Insurance Protocol
• That KAP lobby the provincial government and crop insurance to write off appropriate crops to the level of 90% at the end of November so farmers can continue to be good stewards of the land, improve potential cash flow, allowing them to seed in a timely fashion in the spring.
Land Restoration Assistance
• That KAP lobby the provincial and federal governments to have the Agri-Recovery Disaster Program pay for land restoration due to wet harvest conditions and the resulting soil damage.
ENVIRONMENT
National Environmental Goods and Services Program
• That KAP renew efforts to lobby the provincial and federal governments to develop a comprehensive, nationally integrated program to facilitate the payment for the provision of ecological goods and services and the development of natural capital resources.
Drainage on Agricultural Land
• That KAP lobby the provincial government to ensure That there aren’t any increased regulations dealing with the water management of agricultural land.
Fuel Tank Decommissioning
• That KAP lobby the provincial government to find a solution to the issues regarding the decommissioning of non-certified fuel tanks, which is good for the environment and fair and reasonable to farmers.
GRAINS, OILSEEDS, AND PULSES
Coverage for Corn and Soybeans
• That KAP lobby the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) to expand existing coverage areas for corn and soybeans were applicable.
Midge Tolerant Wheat Varieties
• That KAP fully endorse the Special Wheat midge Action Team education campaign and provide information on the preservation of this gene to members.
Own Use Importation
• That KAP lobby the federal government and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to maintain the Own Use Importation (OUI) program.
INPUTS
Discrepancies Between Crude Oil and Diesel Fuel Prices
• That KAP investigate the price discrepancy between crude oil and diesel fuel.
Input Price Study
• That KAP ask the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to update their input price study (originally published June 12th, 2008) to include years 2007 and 2008.
LIVESTOCK
Country of Origin Labeling
• That KAP requests That the Government of Canada, in consultation with industry, investigate and document the injury to the livestock industry resulting from Country of Origin Labeling (COOL); and further, That KAP requests That the Government of Canada initiate a trade challenge if it can be documented That COOL will have a substantial negative financial impact on Canada’s livestock industry and no other bi-lateral agreement can be achieved.
Sustainable Livestock Industry
• That KAP work with industry and develop a consensus vision and an action plan for a sustainable livestock industry and then lobby the federal and provincial governments for the necessary leadership.
Crown Land Pasture Rates
• That KAP lobby the Governments of Canada and Manitoba to put a hold on the lease rates for Crown land That are used as pasture for Manitoba’s livestock producers until such time That the industry has stabilized and returned to profitability.
Tax Deferral
• That KAP lobby the federal government to allow tax deferral on income from sales from herd liquidation due to a natural disaster.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Affordable Internet Service
• That KAP lobby the federal and provincial governments to ensure a reasonable cost and access to high speed internet hook-up in rural Manitoba including the farming community.
Super Floodway
• That KAP Lobby the federal and provincial authorities to work to modify the Red River Floodway to a Super Floodway design.
TRANSPORTATION
Transport Canada’s Discontinuance Process
• That KAP lobby Transport Canada to change the legislation concerning payment under the discontinuance process to have CN and CP pay the amount which is currently $10,000 per mile per year for three years to affected communities, whether the rail line is sold by CN or CP, either for salvage or to a short line buyer.
Transport Canada’s Discontinuance Process
• That KAP lobby the federal government to review the compensation paid under Transport Canada’s discontinuance process and adjust it to reflect today’s true costs.
Revenue Cap and the WGRF
• That KAP support the payment of overcharges and penalties related to the grain revenue cap to the Western Grains Research Foundation.
Port of Churchill
• That KAP lobby the Governments of Canada and Manitoba to support, develop and encourage the expanded use of the Port of Churchill for exports and imports of products.
MISCELLANEOUS
Interest Rates
• That KAP lobby both provincial and federal governments to assure That the total benefit of reduced interest rates is passed on to the consumer.
