Farm groups laud government fee hike
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario appreciate the work of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs in securing the fee increase requested through the Farm Business Registration process for the province’s General Farm Organizations.
“This will make it possible for the OFA to continue to work effectively on behalf of Ontario farm families,” said OFA president Bette Jean Crews.
CFFO president Henry Stevens said, “It is vitally important for farmers to have properly funded organizations that work for the betterment of both family farms and the rural community.”
The original fee of $150 was set when the legislation calling for a farm business registration fee to fund Ontario’s three General Farm Organizations was approved in 1993. Those have seen significant operation cost increases since that time and more complex issues to be addressed on behalf of Ontario farmers.
Farmers responded when OMAFRA asked for an indication of support for a fee increase. About 80% said that they supported the proposed increase to $195 a year.
What that increase, OFA and CFFO will be able to work on such things as additional savings on energy costs for farmers, improved safety nets for farmers, more farmer revenue opportunities with the Green Energy Act, tax savings, and expanded product and service partnerships providing farmer discounts.
