Farmers March In Toronto To Protest Disastrous Prices And Demand Relief

[Brian Hauk]

Farmers March In Toronto To Protest Disastrous Prices And Demand Relief
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from the Militant, vol.62/no.46 December 21, 1998

BY ROBERT SIMMS
TORONTO - Farmers, most of whom raise hogs, protested in
front of the Ontario legislature December 1 to demand immediate
income assistance from the Ontario and federal governments.
Newspapers reported up to 1,000 farmers participated in the
demonstration. There are 6,000 hog farmers in Ontario. They
carried signs like: "Hog farmers going bankrupt," and "1972
prices, 1998 bills," "Cost 70 cents/lb., get 30 cents/lb.," and
"No farms, no food, no future."
In Canada, hog farmers across the country and grain farmers
concentrated in the prairie provinces have been especially hard
it by a worldwide collapse in farm prices this year.
In the Canadian market, it costs about Can$100-$110 (Can$1 =
US$0.65) per hog to raise it to market size. Last year, hogs
were selling at above average prices of $160 per animal. Since
mid-1998, prices have collapsed to $60 and less.
Bert Beyens, who has been farming for 33 years, keeps about
1,000 hogs on his farm in Parkhill, Ontario. He told the
Militant, "I'm losing $3,000 per week. We can't survive at
these prices. We have to do something. I hope the government
listens." Another farmer from Wingham, Doug Garniss, who raises
hogs, beef, and cash crops, said, "We've never seen prices fall
so hard and so fast, ever. It's a disaster."
Hog production has expanded rapidly in Canada from 16
million shipped in 1993 to 19 million in 1997. Formerly
concentrated in Ontario and Quebec, many farmers in the
prairies have expanded into raising hogs, often encouraged by
government officials and bankers. Speakers at the Toronto rally
emphasized that 40 percent of hog production is exported.
The expansion was based on rapid growth in demand from
markets in Asia and Russia. The economic collapse in these
countries has slashed demand. Capitalist politicians in Canada
also blame what they call unfair subsidies to farm production
from governments in Europe and the United States spurring
overproduction; and as part of their intensifying trade
competition with their rivals they also urge farmers to put the
blame there.
Leaders of provincial farm organizations and the Liberal,
Conservative, and New Democratic political parties addressed
the Toronto rally. Conservative provincial Minister of
Agriculture Noble Villeneuve promised aid coupled with federal
government relief, but no amounts or timetables were mentioned.
There have been reports of some farmers shooting their pigs
because they can't afford to feed them. Some Ontario farmers
have donated pigs to local food banks. One speaker at the rally
said 400 hogs have been promised to the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Sue Cox, executive director of that organization, said a couple
of meat processors have agreed to process them for free.
In September, Quebec hog farmers closed a major highway for
several days demanding immediate provincial government aid.
In Saskatchewan, some 700 grain farmers in a convoy of 225
trucks converged on North Battleford in November to demand
assistance. Farm income in that province in 1997 was $680
million. The federal government estimates farm income in
Saskatchewan in 1998 will be $189 million, and negative $169
million in 1999.
"We're just sort of on the edge of a black hole. A lot of
farmers are just plain saying they won't be around," said
Stewart Wells, a farmer near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and a
representative of the National Farmers Union.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief has proposed to
the federal cabinet a package of $400 million in aid to farmers
this year and additional funds for next year, to be augmented
by provincial government programs. Ottawa, however, has made no
announcement or promise yet, and Vanclief admitted that no
funds would be available until after farmers file tax returns
in the spring. The program, directed mainly at hog and grain
producers, would only kick in after farmers' incomes fall below
70 percent of their historical average.
Many farmers and farm representatives who spoke at the rally
stressed the fact that they need immediate assistance. They
have been losing thousands of dollars per week and need money
before the end of the year. Vanclief asserted that a firm
government announcement of forthcoming aid would enable farmers
to approach bankers and suppliers to get loans for the period.
Many farmers also pointed out that although prices for the
hogs they ship have collapsed in recent months, prices at the
supermarkets for pork have not budged, with hog processors and
grocery chains fattening their profit margins.
At the Toronto rally, several farmers indicated to the
Militant they had heard of the strike vote by a large majority
of workers at Quality Meats, a Toronto pork processor. The
company is demanding massive wage cuts and other givebacks
similar to the contract Maple Leaf Meats wrested from its
workers, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers
(UFCW), after a three-month strike last March. Workers at
Quality Meats are members of the UFCW.

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