Just two months into the job, new OMAFRA Minister Ernie Hardeman hasn’t formulated a position on the high cost of dairy quota... but he’s certainly been hearing about it.
Hardeman is also adamant that he won’t preside over the demise of OMAFRA as an independent ministry. And he’s already got his oar into upcoming WTO talks, reminding Canadian negotiators that Ontario wants supply-management protected.
These were a few of the topics discussed during a recent telephone interview with The AgriNews which set out to get a handle on how Noble Villeneuve’s replacement is approaching the task at hand.
Hardeman said agricultural lobby groups and individual farmers have raised quota prices with him as an impediment to young people trying to make it into the industry.
The Oxford MPP, who’s spent the summer holiday period breaking into his new job, pointed out the price - which now stands in the $17,000 range for the right to produce one kilogram of butterfat per day - is set in the open market.
The main problem appears to be that quota can’t be used as collateral and its purchase can’t be financed the same way as other farm components, causing someone entering the business to require a lot more capital than might otherwise be necessary.
He said he would continue monitoring the situation.
Quota was only one of the hot topics touched upon during the interview which also included federal/provincial relations, WTO negotiations, and the future of OMAFRA.
In his dealings with Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief, Hardeman has already made it clear he intends to talk tough when necessary in stating his case for Ontario farmers. He recently sent a letter to his federal counterpart chastising him in no uncertain terms for "tinkering" with long-standing safety net agreements in order to provide a "quick fix" for Saskatchewan producers.
Asked how he might differ in approach from his predecessor, Hardeman insisted it’ll be up to others to judge his style and performance. One thing for sure, he works best in an environment where everyone with a stake gets to participate in the process.
"Mine is a collaborative approach. I certainly don’t have all the answers but I’m also not a person who believes that you discuss things forever. At some point, you’ve got to make things happen."
Hardeman said he’s had a good reception in meetings with farm lobby groups which have been "very helpful" in putting forward their points on the future direction of Ontario agriculture. The key issues, he said, are safety nets and WTO negotiations.
"Our supply-managed commodities must be treated as domestic marketing policy and not as trade discussion points." Hardeman said he made that discussion point loud and clear with Vanclief whom he accused of "totally contradicting the principles of crop insurance"in his recent move to help uninsured Saskatchewan farmers.
The minister said OMAFRA will be "maintained and enhanced", although "some things may be changed in how we deliver services."
"Times were different when the regional offices were set up. Electronic transfer of programs and services may be more effective today."
From the Archives:
News, September 1999
