March 28, 2012, Guelph, Ont. — The Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition (OASC), representing producers of livestock, fruit and vegetables and grains and oilseeds farmers, is encouraged the Ontario Government has preserved the Risk Management Program (RMP) for 2012 and will be working to ensure the program meets the needs of both farmers and government in 2013 and beyond.
“We are glad that Agriculture Minister Ted McMeekin and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan committed to continue the RMP as a permanent program in these tough times” said Dan Darling, president of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association. “Farmers have been assured that the 2012 year will be funded and administered as presented without a cap on funding.”
OASC representative, Don Kenny, from Grain Farmers of Ontario, added that “OASC is encouraged by this government commitment and we will be working with Minister McMeekin to continue to provide a risk management program that is predictable and bankable for our farmers as well as the government."
OASC will monitor developments going forward as more budget details become available and will hold any additional comments on the issue until we receive final details from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and the from the federal budget to be tabled tomorrow.
RMP is a business risk management insurance program supported by government and farmer premiums and was announced as a permanent program in the 2011 provincial budget.
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