Lobb, Thompson consult Huron farmers at forum

concerned about the carbon footprint while milk is being shipped from one end of the province to the other to be processed. “We want to figure out options for processing on this side of Toronto, in Huron and Perth County,” he said. “It was great to see in the budget there is money being allocated for this issue because there is a great demand for protein and we have an abundance of milk, so hopefully this will spur more processing and get something figured out to keep the money in Ontario.”

Ethan Wallace, a dairy farmer and Ontario Federation of Agriculture board director, said processing is key to the agricultural industry and a requirement for strong communities. “Being able to process the commodities we produce in this county will add exponential dollars to our tax rolls and economy,” he said.

The issues of the day

Huron County Federation of Agriculture President Murray Workman, centre, welcomed Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, left, and Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, right, to the organization’s annual politicians’ forum on March 31, held at the Holmesville Hall. (Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot photo)

By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot

The asks and thanks kept HuronBruce MP Ben Lobb and HuronBruce MPP Lisa Thompson alternating between smiles and serious nods at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture’s MP/MPP and Local Politician Forum on March 31 in Holmesville.

There were demands for more processing facilities in Ontario and wishes for more funds via the Risk Management Program. At the same time, commodity leaders were vocal in their thanks to Lobb and Thompson for their commitment to agriculture. Lobb was praised as his private member’s bill exempting Canadian farmers from the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used to dry crops and heat livestock had just passed.

There was a convivial atmosphere and this event, held annually, gave agricultural commodity leaders a chance to share their successes, concerns and needs with Lobb and

Thompson. The two listened, then shared their own successes, concerns and needs. It’s evident there is a long-standing respect between all, but that didn’t stop some leaders from urging the pair to do something about the lack of processing capacity in Ontario.

“In the last couple of months and years, we have lost a lot of processing capacity to Quebec and the United States,” said Philip Van Raay, representing the Huron County Pork Producers. “We could keep that money in Ontario if we kept the pigs here.”

He explained that when pigs get shipped south for processing, it can cost farmers an additional $25 per animal with the carbon tax, in addition to worries about African Swine Fever (ASF) making its way to Canada from the U.S. and how hard it is on farmers to have pigs (which keep growing) crowding in barns and potentially being euthanized if there isn’t space to process them.

Beef farmers feel a similar pinch and want to see increased investment in programs that support meat processing capacity and infrastructure, along with the training, recruitment and retention of meat cutters and butchers.

Keith Todd, representing Ontario Sheep Farmers District 3, also chimed in saying in order to grow the sheep industry, they need more grocery space and a place to process lamb. “We need a federal processing plant,” he stressed, citing the closure of TruHarvest in Toronto, a farmer-owned packing plant that suspended operations in January.

Dairy farmers are also worried, said Huron County Dairy Producers spokesperson Lorenz Guntensperger. “We are as concerned about the lack of processing as the others. In the dairy sector, we are processing at 100 per cent capacity. When something goes down, we are in a pinch,” he said.

Guntensperger also spoke to the insensibility of a government

The lack of processing for meat and dairy has been vocalized for many years at this forum and Thompson was pleased to report that a $10 million efficiency program for processors has been created to modernize existing processing facilities. She has toured the Lactalis Canada dairy plant in Winchester and seen its plans for expansion. “I thought, wait, where is Southwestern Ontario in this plan?” said Thompson. However, she said the plan was “phenomenal” and that the company and local municipal council have worked in tandem to create this opportunity. “If we want to attract value-added processing, we need to think about where the opportunities are and how we can be shovel-ready to bring processors to farmers.”

Lobb said the need for more processing is more important than ever in order for Canada to be a sovereign nation. “Food is a sovereign issue,” he said. “We need energy sovereignty, food sovereignty and sovereignty within our borders. We do not have that. When we hear issues with abattoirs and processors and the fact that we do not make baby formula in this country, well that is unacceptable.”

For many years, Canada has looked at off-shore production, but it’s time to look at home, he said.

A processing plant in central Ontario would add to the country’s gross domestic product, create jobs and protect Canada from “country of origin” labelling issues. Plus, it would be better for the environment, explained Lobb.

Lobb was praised for his success in having Bill-C-234 passed in the House of Commons in March. “To have a private member’s bill passed in direct opposition to the leadership of the day is almost unheard of,” said Wallace.

Lobb was thanked by many agricultural leaders, including Thompson. “Ben is humble, but I want to echo my thanks. We need smart policy that is not driven by ideology, because we need to be competitive,” said Thompson. “The biggest thing driving up food on the shelf right now is the carbon tax.”

Speaking for the Farm Finance committee, Rob Vandenhengel wished the carbon tax “would come off everything.” In particular, he mentioned the tax is an issue for commercial dryers and elevators, but the bill does not cover them. “It would be great if there was an amendment in the senate to include them.”

Lobb wasn’t alone in being appreciated and praised. Thompson was thanked for increasing money to the Risk Management Program (RMP) by $50 million for an annual allocation of $150 million though it isn’t enough, said some. “The