Overview

Farmers are integral partners in managing the natural environment. They rely on the air, soil and water to conduct their business, and have a vested interest in the sustainability of these resources. Farmers interact intimately with the natural environment every day, and an agricultural perspective to resource management is critical.

Ontario farmers are committed to feeding their neighbours and ensuring Ontarians have access to safe, nutritious, high quality food. This can only be achieved through the responsible use of resources and appropriate support from government. The need to balance feeding our population with environmental sustainability is one Ontario’s farmers have been aware of for years.  Collectively, farmers strive to ensure a healthy balance of these two important elements, while relying on the provincial government’s support to maintain this equilibrium.

OFA Position

OFA supports legislation that ensures our environment is protected, that persons responsible for environmental contamination are held accountable, and that full compensation is made to innocent parties for losses.

OFA objects to the use of viable agricultural land for the disposal of municipal solid waste. OFA supports programs that reduce the volume of solid waste going to landfills.

OFA encourages all Ontario farmers to adopt Best Management Practices and complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). Farmers are also encouraged to investigate workshops, webinars and programming to support Environmental Farm Plan implementation available through the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and programs or grants to assist with beneficial farm management practices available through Conservation Authorities. When applicable, OFA believes that having completed an EFP should be an eligibility requirement for participation in new farm environmental programs.

OFA is also committed to the development of farm practices that ensure rural water quality in maintained or enhanced.