NFU calls for governments to stop farming out program administration

Title

Abstract

The National Farmers Union wants the federal and provincial governments to stop the practice of contracting industry groups to administer their programs. The Organic Certification Subsidy Program is now administered by the Certified Organic Producers Coop rather than the provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry. In order to be eligible for the subsidy, farmers must belong to the cooperative. Reg Phelan who belongs to another cooperative, Seaspray Organics raised concerns as the organic producers cooperative is one of the commodity members of the Federation of Agriculture. Phelan wrote to Paula Biggar, Chair of the Legislature's Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Energy and Environment asking for an investigation why the provincial Department of Agriculture is playing a role in having Island farmers join the Federation of Agriculture member organizations. NFU members passed a resolution at their annual meeting asking Minister Webster to ensure provincial government funding is available to all eligible farmers without a requirement to belong to any particular organization. Edith Ling of the NFU raised concerns re the two tiered treatment of producers under the Advanced Payment Program. This Program is administered by the Federation of Agriculture on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.

Date

2014-04-02

Issue

52

Title	NFU calls for governments to stop farming out program administration
Authors	A. Walker
Abstract	The National Farmers Union wants the federal and provincial governments to stop the practice of contracting industry groups to administer their programs. The Organic Certification Subsidy Program is now administered by the Certified Organic Producers Coop rather than the provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry. In order to be eligible for the subsidy, farmers must belong to the cooperative. Reg Phelan who belongs to another cooperative, Seaspray Organics raised concerns as the organic producers cooperative is one of the commodity members of the Federation of Agriculture. Phelan wrote to Paula Biggar, Chair of the Legislature's Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Energy and Environment asking for an investigation why the provincial Department of Agriculture is playing a role in having Island farmers join the Federation of Agriculture member organizations. NFU members passed a resolution at their annual meeting asking Minister Webster to ensure provincial government funding is available to all eligible farmers without a requirement to belong to any particular organization. Edith Ling of the NFU raised concerns re the two tiered treatment of producers under the Advanced Payment Program. This Program is administered by the Federation of Agriculture on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.
Journal	Island farmer
Date	2014-04-02
Volume	40
Issue	52
ISSN	0823-7735