Farmers wonder how new Conservative leader Erin O’Toole will handle agriculture if he is elected prime minister.
Eliminating the carbon tax is among the promises listed on his website, along with continued support of supply management for the dairy and poultry industries.
Along with promoting more research, an O’Toole government would direct government research to partner with the private sector to grow more crops in greenhouses. That plan would include building clusters of greenhouses
O’Toole promises to ensure farm safety net programs are “predictable, bankable and manageable.”
The CPC leader plans to allow livestock producers to use local slaughterhouses to reduce animal stress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from long distance trucking. Currently, most local slaughterhouses do not have federal meat inspection.
He would start a plan to tackle rural crime and make families feel safer.
Under environmental matters, O’Toole would recognize farmer stewardship in cutting greenhouse gas emissions by farming methods and wetlands conservation, as well as beginning an alternative land uses project to consider incentives for environmental stewardship.
O’Toole also favours clearly labelling food products by country of origin.
A review would develop a way to transition farms from parents to children.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
