Government Should Not Be Running Agriculture

[blackjack]

I hope you continue to post f_s but that being said...I have been very fusturated with ABP in that I think they have missed the boat on the issues of BSE testing and the lack of leadership to help support a producer driven packing plant.It is my opinion the ABP need a shakeup in its direction of the industry and just maybe the ranchers that actually make a living from cattle will be there to support them..When the fall elections come up this fall I would really like to see some fresh ideas that actually get debated instead of the same old set agendas that the ABP try to shove down our throats..

[per]

It seems to me that having a non refundable check off is on the mandatory side and a refundable check off is less interference. I guess it is where on the fence you are leaning and whether it is barbed wire or rail. Of all the interfering onerous things the government does, this time it is listening. Pretty hard to sell choice as the undemocratic way.

A one way conversation would not be much fun. Yes it is good to have a full spectrum of passionate folks that are aiming for the same end result.

[PureCountry]

All I am going to say after reading this drama, is we should all embrace change. The last 6 years have been dark days in the beef industry, so any change could be looked at as a positive thing, if you choose to look that way.

[farmers_son]

Do you think we should embrace change if that change is Government will be telling us what to do and making us do it through regulation and fines plus withholding needed safety net support? That is a pretty significant change.

Getting back to the opening post... when you hear the politicians speak on anything to do with agriculture they reveal their total ignorance. I ask the question again should these MLAs be telling us how we are going to market our cattle, how we are going to raise our cattle, how we move our cattle, our every move? Have we sunk so low that cattle producers would even consider that such a thing was OK?

Yes the Government is going to change things alright and they want ABP and the other producer livestock organizations out of the way so they can do it. Bill 43 will receive final reading next week...still time to contact your MLA and tell them to buzz off.

[perfecho]

Pure....having Nilson's and Cargill controlling 90 % of our kill market is a change, a positive change for Cargill and Nilson's, but not for producers. Having ALMA dictate to us that we have to age verify and premise ID is a positive change for Cargill and Nilson's, however it does not positively impact the producers.
We, producers, are totally missing the boat. As you can see by above thread, we spend our time on squabbling amongst ourselves and the real issues will go unchallenged.
Even sex change funding was modified in good ole red neck Alberta with just a few, well planned and proactive participants that worked together.
Divide and conquer!

[coppertop]

folks, while you are arguing about Bill
43, Bill 36 is on the horizon and it is
the most overarching, top down piece of
legislation in years.
It is the Bill that will put into effect
the Land Use Framework, and I agree with
the concept and the need for this
initiative but there are some areas in
the Draft Bill that concern me.
One being, there is no appeal once the
Minister makes his or her decision on an
issue.
I encourage you to check out this Bill
and attend an Open House in your area if
they aren't all completed.

[farmers_son]

I agree. My impression was you seemed to be familiar with the workings of Government. What is the best way to influence Government to change or amend proposed legislation.

[per]

fs, if you don't mind I would like to take a stab at the how to influence the government. I am sure Coppertop can add to this so here goes.

It is all about relationships. I don't mean buddy buddy, but quiet respectful get to know your MLA, Premier and Deputies and ADM's long before there is an issue. No matter whether you agree or viamently disagree with them, never poke them in the eye with a virtual stick, especially in public. Whether you respect them or not, never treat them with disrespect and earn their respect. If you have their respect, their ear, you will have their phone number and they will take your call.

Then there is the numbers game, phone calls, letters and emails to the various MLA's and Ministers. They have to pay attention to these. Form letters and letters from out of jurisdiction have much less weight than individual personal letters from voters. Of course usually only negative letters are written and I imagine that is taken into consideration as well, especially if there is an opposite campaign happening at the same time with the other view point.

Never gang up on a Minister or your MLA. 2 or Max 3 people at a meeting are better the 5 or 6. They usually have limited time so don't beat around the bush too long and get to business and let them think about what you said. Try to get follow up meeting at that time.

You can sell you opposing position but somehow have to keep it respectful and I think you would be heard better. In the case of the ABP and the Minister, get Chuck and GG to start talking again. If nothing else it will make for better family reunions in the future. I have heard your chairman (who I know and like and respect) say on the radio that he told the Minister such and such. Asked would be a better approach. I think Rick has the relationship skills and personality to turn this around for you, but some how a different approach is needed soon.

These are just my honest thoughts on the subject. I hope they are of some use to you.

[coppertop]

per, I agree with you 100%. Some years
ago when I was a green municipal
politician I attended a seminar on
influencing government and much of what
I learned there still holds true today.
Sending nasty letters to the editor of
rural newspapers is NOT the way to get
co-operation from government.
Getting on Rutherford to bash the
government isn't the right way to bring
about change either.
ABP has some good people in their
organization that are articulate and can
get their message across in the media,
sad to say their new Chairman isn't one
of them. He has a gruff voice for one
thing, and it sounds like he is wanting
to do battle, vs wanting to change
government's thinking without having any
blood spilled !
George needs to go, I think that most
thinking cattleprodcers would support
that. His MANDATORY age verification,
then his volunteer check off don't send
a consistent message to the producers or
the public, and the Premier telling the
Legislature that we need voluntary check
off to market our cattle shows that he
is out of touch with what is really the
issue. You can love or hate ABP, but the
one thing that I have no time for is
government telling me as a producer what
is good for me. Hold a plebicite and let
the producers decide whether the check
off should be mandatory or voluntary.
Government should not need to bring in
legislation that is costly,and divisive
.
I have worked for the PC government as a
volunteer, have earned the trust of some
of the most senior people in the party,
and have no problem looking them in the
eye and telling them if I think that
proposed legislation is wrong, and not
in the best interest of Albertans.
Unfortunately the majority of MLA's know
nothing about the livestock industry,
and care less, they take their cue from
the Minister. MLA's that do understand
the issues, are likely all angling for a
cabinet or significant committee
appointment so they aren't going to make
waves.
By and large I am hearing nothing but
negative comments about this government,
and it really saddens me. I had high
hopes for Ed Stelmach because of his
rural background, but I fear that some
senior bureaucrats are running the show.
I liken it to a county or town where the
administration controls everything and
keeps councillors in the dark, instead
of council setting policy and
administration taking their direction
from council.

[grassfarmer]

Coppertop, It seems to be the nature of Government in most developed countries today that they are run by the beurocrats rather than the politicians. I don't know how you change that. GG is going against that tide, he is a minister with a clear idea of what he wants to do and the guts to do it. We certainly don't need to replace him.