GUELPH, ON [April 16, 2020] – Earlier today, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) participated in a virtual press conference, hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), to address the unprecedented and extraordinary challenges faced by Canadian farm businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Robinson, CFA President called on the federal government to prioritize Canada’s agri-food system to ensure our food supply chain remains secure and reliable in order for consumers to have access to safe, healthy and affordable food products.

“With Ontario being a huge part of the Canadian agricultural scene, it’s of the utmost importance that the Government of Canada recognizes keeping our food production system healthy and reliable through this pandemic,” says OFA President Keith Currie. “Governments need to recognize that investment now is needed for the long-term security of the agri-food system and continued food access for all consumers both now, and beyond the pandemic.”

OFA supports the position and message of CFA in requesting support from the federal government to keep the farming and food sector viable. The challenges and pressures resulting from COVID-19 continue to mount for Ontario farmers and the uncertainty of the situation could have a significant impact on the upcoming growing season.

Farm businesses and food processors need immediate assistance from the government to offset increased farm operation costs and deal with ongoing issues including labour shortages, market unpredictability, reduced meat processing capacity and increased farm operation costs.

OFA acknowledges and appreciates the financial support already announced by the government to assist farmers and food processors in implementing measures to accommodate seasonal agriculture workers with the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Additional resources and support is necessary to ensure Canadian and Ontario products continue to be produced, processed and distributed through our domestic food supply chain.

OFA encourages all Ontarians to speak up in support of the agri-food system and our food supply chain by contacting your local MP and MPP. Tell your elected officials how much you value food access and food security to your overall health and well-being. We need to act now to ensure the Canadian government acknowledges the agriculture and agri-food sector as essential.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 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.

For more information:

Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
keith.currie@ofa.on.ca

Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
cathy.lennon@ofa.on.ca