The Liberal candidate in Bruce Grey Owen Sound is pushing agriculture to the top of his agenda in this election campaign.
Liberal candidate Thom Noble hosted a roundtable discussion with six farmers with different backgrounds yesterday to talk about the problems with the industry.
Noble says there needs to be a stronger connection between urban and rural because farmers stimulate the local economy.
He notes if farmers go out of business, the local economy will suffer.
Not all six farmers indicated who they are voting for — but they all agree the agriculture industry will suffer if changes are not made.
Dobbinton cattle producer Brian Dudgeon says they need more investment from the federal government to increase their profit margins.
The Bruce Grey Owen Sound riding is the largest beef producing riding in Ontario and the second largest in all of Canada.
Grey County apply producer Brian Gilroy — the Chair of the Ontario Apple Growers — says the new safety new programs are not working.
Gilroy says the old programs worked better than the current ones because money arrived on a more timely basis.
The President of the Grey Bruce Pork Producers Peter Jileson feels local MP Larry Miller has not taken them seriously.
He also says the cuts to the food safety net program have hurt the industry.
Owen Sound area dairy farmer Scott Catto says he has to work in construction to support his dairy farm.
Catto says the family farm is dying because young people see the stress their families are going through.
And he notes a million dollars would not be enough for a young person to start a new cattle farm.
Former MP Murray Calder — a chicken farmer — says the problem lies with the bureaucrats.
Liberal candidate Thom Noble says local MP Larry Miller is not doing enough for farmers because Prime Minister Harper will not let him speak up.
Noble calls Stephen Harper the oil producers Prime Minister and feels he has no interest in agriculture.
Noble — a computer technician — says local farmers should believe what he says because he knows farming and has many friends in the industry.
