By John & Marie Miller, Jalon Farms, Creemore ON

Reports from the Urban Media tell us that agriculture is “The Next Big Thing.” The world population is ramping up to a projected whopping 9 billion people by 2050. Farm publications report the many opportunities available for our farmers in international agricultural trade. Consequently, our Federal Government is regularly signing and negotiating Free Trade deals with countries all over the world.

Those of us, who follow these proceedings and the media coverage, in both the urban and farm papers, know the promise of prosperity is fleeting for agriculture. If the farmers aren’t gaining from these trade deals then who is?

Prior to the signing of the Canada/US Free Trade Deal, Canada was a closed and protected economy. Our parents and grandparents created this trade system to maintain a fair and sustainable society for the future of their families. The important thing to realize is free trade is a sugar coated name for deregulation. What happens under deregulation is… all rules of fair play are removed and the deal signing parties adopt the least or lowest standards.

As a result, this will create the greatest economic activity. Or in other words, we can make as much money as possible without regard for people or the environment. The flaw to this trading philosophy is proving, as time passes, to be the possible lost generation of young people. Unfortunately, our youth may never have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We could go from a first world country to a third world country in as little as thirty years.

This is where agriculture in Canada comes into play. How can a country with more arable land and more fresh water than any country in the world, not have a National Food Policy? Without a plan for our future food system, we are leaving our food industry in the hands of multi-national corporations with their sole purpose being to create the most profit to its shareholders.

At a glance Ontario Agriculture would appear in good health. Most farms are well kept and farmers' fields are planted with plentiful crops. What is not seen is the massive growth of debt taken on by farmers to compete in this global economy. Food coming in from other countries is produced at very low prices without a regulatory system put in place for safety. Low-cost food and low-cost food ingredients are used by food processing corporations to drive down prices paid to local farmers for their product.

The reality is Canadian farmers cannot compete because too many of our costs are based on the fact we live in a country filled with rules and regulations to protect our citizens. Agricultural products produced in Canada are safe and nutritious due to these rules and regulations. Unfortunately, free trade (deregulation) with other countries opens the door to products produced under regulations not even close to Canadian standards. An example of this in the dairy industry is ingredients, like whey protein concentrate used in the production of cheese, from other countries coming in and being blended with Canadian milk and sold in our stores to the unsuspecting consumer.

Examples of some food products affected are, dairy from New Zealand, beef from South America, pork from U.S., pickles from India, garlic from China, apples from China, vegetables from Mexico. Thus, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, (CFIA) simply cannot check the flood of food ingredient coming across our borders. The CFIA must hope that these same multi-national corporations, with the sole purpose to create profit, will do the right thing to ensure the consumer receives safe, quality food. Should we leave it in the hands of multi-national corporations?

What can we do? Buy local and if we cannot find our food locally, make sure it is Canadian. Become informed. Read the label and if you don’t understand something on the list of ingredients then research using the internet. Call your MPs and MPPs and demand our governments stop undermining our food system. If we lose our ability to feed ourselves then we will become third world.   To find food produced in Simcoe County visit: www.simcoecountyfarmfresh.ca