​By Drew Spoelstra, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
In the complicated world that is the current state of affairs in international trade and tariffs, the agricultural industry needs strong advocates to protect all farmers’ interests. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is actively working with negotiators to ensure farmers in Ontario and across the country are not compromised.
 
As the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations drag on and tariff wars heat up, it’s critical that we look for opportunities and alternatives to mitigate the potential damage to our industry and our economy.
 
Canada and Mexico are the two largest export markets for US products, and any serious change to the NAFTA deal or increased tariffs put our markets and competitiveness at risk.
 
US President Trump insisted on a renegotiation of the 1994 trade agreement with Canada and Mexico early in his presidency. Talks are currently stalled and are expected to resume only after the Mexican national election on July 1.
 
On June 1, the US imposed tariffs on imports of certain steel and aluminum products from Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU) based on issues of US national security. Canada is impacted the most by these tariffs. All three regions had been previously exempt from these same tariffs.
 
On July 1, Canada intends to impose counter tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum and other products (including some food products and whiskey) in response to the US tariffs. This is standard procedure and permissible under international trade rules providing the value of the retaliatory tariffs are equal. Tariff targets are typically chosen for impact in terms of affected products and producers.
 
Generally, trade wars have the final effect of raising the cost of goods and services in the participating countries.  Although some may benefit in the short-term from tariff-induced trade interruptions, overall it’s a lose-lose situation with producers and consumers financially impacted in both Canada and the US. It gets even more complicated by the fact the US is waging trade wars with other countries at the same time. For example, US pork exports to Mexico will face retaliatory duties imposed by Mexico in response to US steel and aluminum tariffs. Where will these displaced US pork exports go? Consequently, our work must quickly look at the possible economic impacts on farmers in terms of markets and competitiveness and find ways and means to mitigate these impacts – to hold out until cooler heads prevail.
 
 
With CFA and our fellow farm organizations across the country we will work to defend and protect the competitiveness of Canadian farms and our food industry as we await a rational outcome to economic madness.
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For more information, contact:



Drew Spoelstra
Executive Member
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
905-379-5751

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

​Guelph, ON [June 8, 2018] – OFA congratulates Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative party on forming the next government in Ontario. “We look forward to getting to know new MPPs across the province, and connecting with returning politicians to continue the conversations we started during the election period about the needs of the agricultural sector and our rural communities,” says Keith Currie, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).
 
Throughout the election, OFA reinforced that agriculture and rural Ontario hold the key for provincial prosperity and long-term economic growth – already contributing $13.7 billion to the province’s annual GDP and $1.4 billion in provincial tax revenues. OFA gathered support for its Producing Prosperity in Ontario campaign from all parties during the campaign – a platform to support spreading economic development across the province.
 
“With the balance of Ontarians living and working in urban ridings, we advocated for a greater understanding of the needs and opportunities that lie in Ontario’s agri-food industry and rural communities,” says Currie. “We now have a targeted audience of 124 MPPs who will continue to hear about the key messages from our Producing Prosperity in Ontario election campaign and the tremendous potential to drive economic growth, affordable housing opportunities, job creation, environmental sustainability and local food security,” says Currie. 
 
With the new majority government in place, OFA will continue to work for long-term investments needed to spearhead increased economic prosperity in rural Ontario – expanded access to affordable natural gas energy, improved roads, bridges and drainage to support growth and transportation of agricultural goods, and reliable internet to get farms, local businesses and rural communities better connected.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 37,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.
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For more information:
 
Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
keith.currie@ofa.on.ca
 
Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
neil.currie@ofa.on.ca
 

​By Bruce Buttar, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Summer on the farm is exciting and busy. The days are longer, the weather is warmer and it’s a privilege to watch our crops and animals growing throughout the summer months. But farm work can be risky and unpredictable at times, especially when we’re working outside in the elements.
 
Heat stress, extended sun exposure and longer working hours are risks farmers and farm workers often face during the summer as a result of Ontario’s climate and our short growing season. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reminds our members, their farm families and employees to stay safe and take precautions this summer to prevent heat stress and exhaustion.
 
OFA recently expanded its relationship with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We’re happy to offer OFA members farm safety and prevention resources to help keep everyone safe and healthy. WSPS has released key tips to prevent heat stress for agricultural workers and anyone else who works outside. 
 
Safety is everyone’s responsibility on a farm. OFA reminds Ontario farmers to work safely and watch out for each other. Prevention is key and there are plenty of ways to reduce the strain of working in hot weather. Wear appropriate clothing like loose fitting cotton and moisture wicking fabrics. Stay hydrated yourself and have plenty of water available for everyone. Proper employee training and supervision can go a long way to prevent heat stress and hot weather related injuries or illnesses. Everyone should know the signs of heat stress and what to do if someone experiences distress.
 
Any job that causes your body temperature to rise has the potential to cause heat stress, but there are ways to keep workers safe, no matter where you work. Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heart attack and other physical health effects. Heat stress can also impact business on a farm when jobs are often tied to weather or available labour.
 
Knowing the symptoms of heat stress is just as important as prevention. If you or someone you’re working with show signs of fatigue, light headedness, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty focusing or excessive sweating, take action immediately by removing yourself or your co-worker to a cooler location and drink plenty of water.
 
To all our farming members, take care this summer and stay safe. We’ve already experienced some hot weather and it’s a good reminder of what summers on the farm in Ontario are like. Stay safe this summer.
For more information on heat stress or other farm safety resources visit ofa.on.ca.
 
 
 
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For more information, contact:

Bruce Buttar
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
905-373-6175
Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883