NDP out of touch with producers’ difficulties: McFadyen

September 22, 2009�

Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives say a comprehensive strategy is needed to help producers struggling with the challenges created by months of adverse weather.

“Around Manitoba, the consequences of months of bad weather are readily apparent, such as diminished feed supplies, poor or nonexistent crop yields, and field and pasture damage,” explained PC Leader Hugh McFadyen. “The NDP government’s response to these prolonged challenges has been inadequate. Action is needed now or we’ll lose more producers.”

McFadyen made the comments after he and Agriculture Critic Ralph Eichler visited a farm in the Fraserwood area of the Interlake to see firsthand the impact of continued excess moisture conditions. The PCs believe more needs to be done to help producers, including:

•� An extension of the Manitoba Forage Restoration Assistance Program (MFRAP), with an increased payment from $40 to $60/acre. The program was used to help producers hit by excess moisture in 2008 to re-establish forage crops, forage seed fields and pastures. Consideration also needs to be given to repairing fields used for cereal or other crops.
•� An extension of the Manitoba Forage Assistance program, which helped producers who were short of hay, grain and straw due to either drought or excess moisture conditions.
•� The creation of a comprehensive strategy to address drainage shortcomings, including cleaning clogged drains and addressing backlogs in processing of drainage applications.

“In some parts of the Interlake, producers won’t be taking a crop off this fall because they were unable to plant due to the standing water,” explained Eichler. “This April the Water Stewardship Minister admitted there was a backlog of 1750 drainage licence applications, the majority of which were in the Interlake and Red River regions. Something needs to be done about this so producers can get back to the business of farming. This level of backlog is unacceptable. ”

McFadyen said even though the NDP is distracted by a leadership fight, the NDP needs to address these challenges now.

“When producers are financially strapped, the impact isn’t only felt by their families. It’s felt by the businesses in their communities and the economy at large. A recovery strategy is urgently needed.”