For immediate release:
February 15, 2006

Barrett reports on Guelph rally in Legislature
Says government inaction is humiliating for Ontario’s farmers

Queen’s Park--Opposition Agriculture Critic Toby Barrett decried the Ontario government’s complete lack of action and attention, “to the crisis right outside their door.”

In a statement to the legislature today MPP Barrett reported the signs of government neglect highlighted by Tuesday’s farm rally in Guelph.

“There were signs saying ‘farmers feed cities’ and the one painted on both sides of a huge tanker truck ‘Equity with the US farmers’,” said Barrett.  “US farmers receive $123 per acre support for corn- one local farmer told me he got $7.  How do they compete on the Chicago market?  It’s like sending David against Goliath- with no slingshot.”

Barrett went on to explain that the farm crisis is far from being a single commodity issue.

“Nearly all our sectors are in crisis- cash crop, beef, tobacco, horticulture, cull-cow, dairy heifers, deer and elk, and even beekeepers,” Barrett continued.  “Our governments are only good at three things- study, stall, and study.”

“Step up to the plate before it’s too late.”

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446, (416) 325-8404, or 1-800-903-8629.