CASTLEGAR, BC – The federal New Democrats’ Agriculture Critic Alex Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) has unveiled the party’s agriculture platform, reflecting Canadians’ concerns about food safety and labeling, and committing to protecting Canadian farmers and the environment.

“This summer I started my cross-country tour to hear what people are saying about food security and food sovereignty,” said Atamanenko. “I am pleased to see that a number of concerns such as supporting a local food distribution infrastructure have been addressed in the platform.”

Some of the highlights from the platform to ensure food safety include:

• Increase the number of food inspectors at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Improve the system to warn families of food safety problems
• Require that food labeled “Product of Canada” is accurate
• Require food labels let Canadians know how far their food has travelled and where it comes from so that they can chose to buy local products
• Regulate the “line speed” in meat processing plants which will help protect consumers and workers

To help farm families, New Democrats will:

• Protect the Canadian Wheat Board as the marketer of Canadian wheat and barley
• Provide opportunities for Canadian farmers to benefit from the growing demand for organic food
• Reduce the power of agri-business corporations in their relations with farmers
• Protect farm families’ income
• Encourage responsible bio-fuel development along with other alternative fuel and energy supplies
• Invest in regional and local food markets
• Encourage the consumption of food grown in Canada
• Encourage ecologically sustainable farming practices
• Improve rural transportation to help farm families
• Develop programs to encourage young people to become farmers

As a general principle, New Democrats will adopt the People’s Statement on Food Sovereignty, which recognizes that people have the right to safe, healthy and ecologically, sustainably produced food.

Agriculture Platform [5]