| Federation seeks Farm Registration Enforcement |
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May 3, 2009 For immediate release Charlottetown PEI - The PEI Federation of Agriculture (PEIFA) is very disappointed by Minister of Agriculture, George Webster and government for their refusal to enforce the farm registration regulations in this province which ensure stable funding for farm organizations. Webster has even gone so far as to say that if farmers have to pay this fee “…it could be the straw that breaks the camels back” meaning that it might be the bill that pushes a farmer over the edge into bankruptcy. In reality the fees that farmers have to pay are very small especially when compared to the significant benefits all farmers receive from these organizations. “If the Minister is truly concerned about agriculture in this province, he could work to change some of the antiquated tax policies that are costing farmers thousands of dollars every year” said Ernie Mutch, President of the PEIFA. The Federation of Agriculture has long advocated that farmers on PEI are at a huge tax disadvantage. Studies commissioned by the PEIFA clearly indicate the thousands of dollars farmers pay in taxes in this province that are not paid by farmers in other provinces. Mutch goes on to say that, “Having strong, farm organizations working to develop sustainable agriculture policy in collaboration with government is a big part of the solution. It’s apparent that given the governments reluctance to support us to collect our fees from the industry, they do not share this collaborative vision.” The Federation of Agriculture finds it remarkable that while government cost farmers thousands of dollars by removing productive agricultural land out of production through new buffer zone regulations in an effort to gain public support under the pretext of environmental protection, yet government is concerned with the small cost to farmers for an annual fee to ensure strong representation speaking and working on its behalf. The Federation of Agriculture is requesting their membership to call their representative MLA and ask why this government is unwilling to support a legislation that ensures an equal process for all farmers. The Federation of Agriculture is also calling on government to recognize the importance of this regulation and to enforce the policy that will ensure a strong an equitable voice for agriculture in this province. Without a strong, independent industry voice for agriculture working proactively for a sustainable future for the agriculture community it will be wholly left to government to move agriculture forward. This would not be advantageous for the future of Island Agriculture. -30- For more information contact: Ernie Mutch 629-9714 Or Mike Nabuurs 626-6397 or 368-7289 |