Tory ag critic launches farmer survey

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

by SUSAN MANN

Ontario farmers have a chance to outline what they need for their businesses to grow and be competitive in a new survey launched by Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ernie Hardeman.

Farmers will also be asked in the survey about the impact of the drought on their farm. Hardeman says he’s surveying farmers to identify what steps should be taken to ensure Ontario’s agricultural industry is competitive and sustainable.

The survey was released today. Farmers who have responded so far say the drought is their number one concern and the responses are mainly from Eastern Ontario. Hardeman says he doesn’t know how many responses there are so far.

He says he’ll use the results to hold the current government accountable and to develop policy proposals to strengthen the province’s agricultural industry.

Hardeman says he’s heard from farmers that overregulation is preventing their businesses from growing. “Through this survey I hope to identify specific regulations that should be reviewed.”

The survey takes about four minutes to complete and will be open for some time.

“I don’t have any deadline for when it’s going to close,” he says.  BF