Groups support growers’ alliance

Farm organizations around Ontario are showing their support for the Processing Vegetable Growers’ Alliance by putting it in writing. The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, the National Farmers Union — Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture penned a joint letter to the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission in support of the issues raised by the growers’ alliance, which was formed after the commission disbanded the former Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers organization. “The Alliance represents farmers who grow 14 different types of processing vegetables in the province who are concerned about proposed changes to Regulation 441 that would dramatically reduce grassroots representation for our sector,” said Francis Dobbelaar, chair, Processing Vegetable Growers’ Alliance in a written release. In their letter to the commission, regarding proposed changes to Regulation 441/400, the groups call on the commission to consult directly with processing vegetable growers regarding any proposed governance changes that would impact the OPVG organization. “The goal of the Alliance is to restore a fully grower-elected OPVG board with the authority to negotiate prices, terms, conditions and contracts for Ontario’s processing vegetable growers,” said Dobbelaar. “We are anxious to get on with the innovative plans we had in the works before the Commission dismissed the OPVG board and senior staff — including establishing industry advisory and market development committees,” he added. “We welcome innovation and change that will help strengthen and sustain our industry.”