FARMERS MAY BE HIT BY A FEDERAL AGENCY, AGAIN
“Why would we take away an avenue that can save a farmer thousands of dollars?”

OTTAWA – Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, fired another warning shot across the bow of the Liberal ship: “Improve competition between chemical, fertilizer and fuel companies in Canada to help bring down agriculture producers’ costs – don’t restrict their ability to access less expensive inputs from the United States. This no time to put the squeeze on farmers when commodity prices are already unacceptably low,” declared Breitkreuz.

Ever-escalating costs on the farm have forced Canadian producers to look at every avenue to make the most of their dollar. Using an own-use permit issued by the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), farmers have been able to access products such as generic glyphosates and Ivermectin from the United States, saving thousands of dollars.

“Through a special permit, farmers finally caught a break,” explained Breitkreuz. “Now we have word that PMRA is looking to discontinue issuing these own-use permits. On the one hand, we expect our farmers to be the best managers of cost and product so that Canada can compete on the global market. While on the other hand, why would we take away an avenue which can save an individual farmer thousands of dollars? Nothing about that makes sense.”

PMRA’s signal to put an end to own-use permits comes following pressure by industry lobbying. In essence, PMRA is planning to take money out of the pockets of Canadian farmers to support Canadian chemical companies.

“We need to put Canadian farm families at the forefront,” said Breitkreuz. “If we need to improve the tax structure, lift restrictions and ensure competitiveness within the Canadian chemical industry which supplies glyphosates and Ivermectin, then we need to do that. What we cannot do is put our producers in a position where they are at the mercy of the industry.”

“My colleague, Gerry Ritz, the Conservative MP for Battlefords-Lloydminster, has demanded PMRA appear before the federal agriculture committee to explain itself,” said Breitkreuz, “and I stand by Gerry in this appeal. The Liberal government is comfortable allowing big business to dictate who wins and loses. The NDP continues to prop them up. Only the Conservative Party is front and centre supporting our farm families,” concluded Breitkreuz.

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