Katy Austin : New Democrats

New Democrats recognize that a long-term commitment is needed to restore Canadian agriculture to sustainability in the 21st century.  To this end, they will set in place a “Made in Canada” agricultural policy that will address the short term and long-term needs of the rural farm economy.

Sustainable Agriculture Outcomes

·         Reduced input costs for pesticides, herbicides and fuel, which are largely paid by Canadian farmers to multinational corporations.

·         An overhaul the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program to enhance its effectiveness and overall coverage in protecting and stabilizing incomes for family farms. A New Democrat Government would abandon the present “one size fits all approach” and develop a program that meets the needs of the various farm sectors. 

·         New risk management strategies for grains, beef, horticulture and other sectors.

·         A permanent stand-by capacity to deliver assistance to farming industries and communities by establishing a permanent farm communities’ emergency support fund. This fund would provide assistance in addition to normally budgeted assistance.

Agriculture and Trade

• An end to export subsidies and dumping that have caused worldwide price distortions and have devastated rural economies around the world.
• An orderly marketing system in international trade and tariffs, providing fair prices to consumers and fair prices to producers. .

Safe and Stable Food Supply

• Investment in local and regional food markets and value added processing.
• Investment in research and market development for organic production. Banning of terminator seed technologies.
• The right to reuse seed will be a fundamental principle of Canada’s international aid development.
• Development of good food distribution systems in urban communities that build closer links between producers and consumers.

A Future for Agriculture

The long-term future of farming and food production depends on renewable energy sources and sustainable use of natural resources such as soil and water.

Actively supporting the transition to sustainable agriculture with investment and regulations to encourage ecologically sound food production.

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