For immediate release:
Sept. 13, 2005

Opportunity missed at Farm Show - Barrett

Woodstock – Clad in a bright yellow t-shirt with the words “Farmers Feed Cities”, MPP Toby Barrett stood alongside farmers at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show waiting for Ontario’s Agriculture Minister to provide some leadership – at the end of the Minister’s speech they were still waiting.

“This was a missed opportunity to give our farmers certainty for their future – instead we get more platitudes about the importance of agriculture,” said Barrett, PC Agriculture Critic. “We all already know how important agriculture is, it’s time for this government to acknowledge that importance with the support and direction required by those putting food on our tables while facing ever increasing debtloads.”

The Outdoor Farm Show is billed as the nation’s premier outdoor showcase offering, "one stop shopping for farmers and highlight[ing] the most innovative and technologically advanced agricultural products and services available.” While Premier McGuinty was originally advertised to open the Show, it was Minister Dombrowsky who arrived with greetings - and no announcements.

“Across Ontario we are hearing reports of everything from a hidden crisis to a looming crisis to a full blown crisis in our farm and rural communities,” Barrett pointed out. “As government, you can’t wait for disaster to happen, you have to be out-front, planning and providing leadership for a sector that has been largely ignored since this government took office.”

Before the speeches, Barrett met with supporters of the “Farmers Feed Cities” initiative – an effort supported by Ontario’s seven grain & oilseed organizations looking for a new direction in risk management and safety nets.

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