Corn, Soybean and Wheat Boards sign new MOU
May 8, 2008
April 3, 2008, GUELPH, ON – Plans to form one Ontario corn, soybean and wheat organization are officially back on the table today, after the chairs of the three organizations signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The Chairs of Ontario Corn Producers’ Association (OCPA), Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG), and Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board (OWPMB) officially signed the updated Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming all three boards’ commitment to bringing plans for a single organization to a producer vote.
“In signing the MOU today we’re saying we’re committed to seeing this process through, to allow producers of corn, soybeans, and wheat to decide whether we’ll have one organization for the three commodities,” says Leo Guilbeault, Chair of Ontario Soybean Growers.
Work on the MOU began in 2004 when the all three organizations signed on to an original agreement to pursue the formation of one organization, with no predetermination of what that organization might look like. While much progress has been made in firming up a proposed structure for the organization – called Grain Farmers of Ontario – the process was suspended in November 2007.
“Signing this MOU today allows us to recognize the progress that has already been made, while committing to specific objectives and structure that will take this process to a producer vote,” says Dave Whaley, newly-elected Chair of OWPMB.
While the previous MOU outlined a parallel process – involving one committee with elected representatives, and another with general managers and staff – the newly-appointed working group involves Chairs and General Managers from all three organizations with Rod Stork serving as facilitator.
The Working Group is working closely with the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) to ensure all requirements are addressed to move forward with a producer vote. The OFPMC is the regulatory body responsible for the supervision of Ontario’s marketing boards and representative associations.
Producer participation in the future vote, which is conducted by OFPMC is extremely important. The results of the vote will be used by the OFPMC to determine whether it recommends to the Minister that the formation of Grain Farmers of Ontario should occur.
“During the interval this winter when the process was suspended, grain and oilseed producers made it clear that they wanted to be able to vote, and we’re pleased to be able to respond to their direction,” says Dale Mountjoy, President of Ontario Corn Producers’ Association (OCPA).
Producer information packages and timelines for conducting a producer vote are currently being finalized.
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Contact:
Dale Mountjoy, President, Ontario Corn Producers’ Association (OCPA) – 905-261-1776
Leo Guilbeault, Chair, Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG) – 519-796-2289
Dave Whaley, Chair, Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board (OWPMB) – 519-322-8065
RMP Application Deadline Extended
December 19, 2007
In view of the busy fall, and to give producers time to fully understand the requirements of the new program, the application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2007.
Pre-harvest market prices, 2007 premium examples and other information are available on Agricorp’s website at www.agricorp.com to help producers decide whether to participate in RMP.
RMP payments will start in December
Most eligible commodities will trigger two payments for each crop year, typically in the fall and the spring if the market price falls below the support level. Agricorp will start to issue pre-harvest payments by the end of December.
Payments are calculated as follows:
Payment = (50% of AFY) x (acres) x (40 percent of difference between support level and market price)
RMP participants must also participate in CAIS and PI
To participate in RMP for 2007, producers must grow at least one of the eligible grain and oilseed crops and must enrol all their eligible grain and oilseed crops.
Producers must also participate in the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program and Production Insurance (PI). For PI deadlines that have passed, the requirement to participate in PI has been waived for 2007. If you grow winter wheat and have not yet secured Production Insurance, you may contact Agricorp in the spring to obtain insurance without winterkill by May 1, 2008. The deadline to join 2007 CAIS is December 31, 2007.
If you have any questions about RMP or PI, please call Agricorp at 1-888-247-4999. For CAIS inquiries, please call 1-877-838-5144.
WTO launches investigation of U.S. farm support
December 17, 2007
Reuters
Published: Monday, December 17, 2007
GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization (WTO) launched an investigation on Monday into Washington's multi-billion-dollar farm subsidies that Brazil and Canada say break international trading rules.
The Canadian complaint called for a WTO assessment of U.S. subsidies and domestic support for corn and other agricultural products, while the Brazilian request challenged broad U.S. domestic support.
A single panel was set up by the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body to assess the two countries' concerns.
Click here for complete story
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