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But All Things Are Not Equal |
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| St. Boniface - Thursday, May 23, 2002 - by: Mike Reilly | |
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not valid |
In his article "Farming Evolves- Get Over it" (May 20), Mr Thorsell demonstrates two essential failures of reason: evolution does not assume progress and natural selection must be independent of human activity. Drawing a parallel between specialization due to natural selection and the loss of Canadian farms due to present market conditions is not a valid argument. In addition, his admonition that farmers "get over it" displays a typical urban lack of understanding of rural issues. |
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die |
Evolution means change over time. All species change, and so do systems and organizations. As long as conditions continue to remain constant, or at least favourable, those changes do not result in the loss of the species. However, should conditions such as weather, disease, the natural introduction of new competition, change to induce reproductive and survival pressures, those species whose changes now make them more competitive that their predecessors or who can adapt their behaviour to compete, will survive while others die out. |
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viability |
While it is true that advances in agriculture in the first half of the century resulted in more efficient farms and the ability to increase profitability by farming larger acreages with fewer people, there was a resulting redistribution of wealth within the farming community. More people benefited through improvements and increased market access. The present crisis in Canadian farming cannot be equated to this. The family farm is no longer able to compete and the resulting bankruptcy will create a void in the market place that is not being replaced by a better, more efficient entity. |
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all things |
As a conservative, I'm the first person to advocate that, all things being equal, the free market system can take care of itself and direct government interference only prolongs the death of an inefficient organization. However, it is the roll of government to ensure the phrase "all things being equal" is in effect. The death of a market competitor under unfair conditions in no way represents its unfitness any more than does the decline in cod stocks due to overfishing in Atlantic Canada represent the fish's inability to adapt as a species. |
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farmers |
Canadian farmers are not at risk because of competition from more progressive or efficient producers. It is the lack of support of successive Canadian governments which have resulted in the following conditions: |
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Federal |
Canadian farmers need a Federal government which will fight for the creation of a fair marketplace. They need a government with the conviction to make the US honour its Free Trade commitments. Farmers need the government to demonstrate leadership in creating a Canadian agricultural trade system which provides distribution and access to Canadian produce. Canada must be a place where PEI potatoes are more available in Calgary that Idaho potatoes and BC apples are better value in Toronto than Japanese apples. |
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about |
This government needs to understand that the US Farm Bill is not about trade as much as it is about the upcoming congressional elections. US farming is already subsidized at a far larger rate than in Canada; US farmers don't need more money. President Bush is facing strong lobby pressure (similar to pressure he faces from lumber producers and the Energy lobby) to reward those groups who funded his election campaign. In addition, Bush needs additional Republican congressmen to take control of the house. The US Farm Bill is this administration's method of helping elect Republican congressmen from the US Midwest. |
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vision and |
We have the tools to combat the US move and make Canadian farming strong, healthy and competitive again. What we need is a government with the vision and courage to pick those tools up. |
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| Reference: | |
| Farming Evolves- Get Over it, Toronto Globe and Mail, by Thorsell | |
