Issue and Challenges Your issues are the Alliance's issues. It's why we exist. The Agricultural Alliance's staff and volunteer board members are your friends, neighbours and colleagues who work diligently to protect farmers' interests by focusing lobbying and advocacy efforts on a wide variety of long-standing and emerging issues. Among our current priorities: Agricultural Land Use Policy At every opportunity, the Agricultural Alliance draws the provincial government's attention to the critical need for development of a land use policy. The province's current piecemeal approach does not respond to farmers'needs. As well, far too much New Brunswick farmland continues to disappear. Agricultural land preservation policies will be high on the agenda at the planned provincial Agriculture Summit slated for April 2008. Where we are... The Agricultural Alliance achieved substantial progress on the land use issue by convincing the provincial government to improve the Farm Land Identification Program (FLIP). Effective September 1, 2007, a new cap to the deferred tax interest component will now ensure it never exceeds 50 per cent of the deferred tax and the term "penalty" has been changed to "interest". New Farmers Fewer young New Brunswickers are setting their sights on an agricultural career. With the average age of the province's farmers at 58 years, the industry needs new young farmers if it is to prosper and grow. Where we are... The Agricultural Alliance is aggressively seeking government support for financial incentives to attract new farmer and to launch public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting agriculture careers. We are also seeking government support for new agriculture training opportunities in New Brunswick. Ensuring Adequate Programs for Farmers We are your voice at all levels of government. We work diligently to ensure farmers have the government programs and support needed to help individual farms and the industry grow and prosper. Where we are...... Lobbying efforts by the Agricultural Alliance, with the help of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, convinced Ottawa that the Agricultural Policy Framework must meet the unique needs of New Brunswick farmers. The result? Ottawa will consult directly with New Brunswick farmers on how to accomplish that. Proactive lobbying by the Alliance resulted in substantial changes in how the Purchaser's Permit works, thus easing restrictions on the nature of activities for which farmers can use tax-exempt fuel. And, there's more to do. The Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, currently administered in Winnipeg, demands local management if it is to effectively meet New Brunswick farmers' unique needs. Labour Shortage A shortage of qualified labour is a huge concern for farmers, especially during peak seasons. The Agricultural Alliance is urging the government to improve the existing labour programs by allowing migrant workers to work in various sectors. Plans are also in the works to inform farmers about migrant worker programs. |
