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POGA President Speaks to House of Commons

A week ago, the Canadian government introduced legislation to put into law the Order in Council measures taken earlier in March. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture asked the President of the Prairie Oat Growers Association(POGA), Art Enns, to testify about the legislation (Bill C-30, or Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act). He was also representing the Grain Growers of Canada, in a rather expedited committee stage. He spoke effectively about the need for both short term assistance for farmers who cannot move their grain to market, and long term reform to fix the system that created this situation. In particular, he requested that the legislation include some corridor specific considerations, as setting general minimum requirements may not help oat farmers enough. I’m hopeful that the government will have heard his requests, and put them into this legislation.

You can read the the Brief submitted with his testimony here.

Robynne Anderson

Robynne has extensive experience in the agriculture and food sector, working throughout the value chain – from basic inputs to farmers in the field to the grocery store shelf. She works internationally in the sector, including speaking at the United Nations on agriculture and food issues, and representing the International Agri-Food Network at the UN.Throughout her career she has worked with farm organisations like the Prairie Oat Growers Association, the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi and the Himalayan Farmers Association, as well as global groups, to further the voice of agriculture in the food debate. She has also worked with Fortune 500 companies growing worldwide businesses to assist them with issues management and strategy decisions.

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