(CAIRO, EGYPT) - A Canadian has won the Presidency of the International
Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). Jack Wilkinson, an Ontario
farmer, was elected at IFAP's 35th General Conference in Cairo,
Egypt.
"This is great news for Canada," said Bob Friesen, President of the
Canadian
Federation of Agriculture (CFA). "We face big challenges in the
international arena right now - the U.S. Farm Bill, continuing high
subsidies in other countries, and foreign challenges to our effective
marketing institutions like supply management. With a Canadian at the
helm
of this important organization, Canada will have more strength to push
its
position abroad."
IFAP was formed in 1946 as a forum to foster cooperation between the
agricultural producers' organizations of the world. 89 organizations
from
68 countries are members of IFAP. This represents over 500 million
farmers
worldwide. IFAP has General Consultative Status with the Economic and
Social Council of the United Nations.
With the election of Mr. Wilkinson, Canada will have three seats on
IFAP.
CFA President Bob Friesen, Vice-President of IFAP during the last term,
will
retain his seat on the executive committee. Leo Bertoia, President of
Dairy
Farmers of Canada, is Chair of the IFAP Dairy Committee and will also
retain
his seat on the Executive Committee. "This maximizes Canada's presence
at
the international level," added Friesen.
"These elections solidify Canada's team approach in international
affairs.
I
am looking forward to contributing to IFAP's work in improving the
farmers'
situation globally," said Wilkinson.
Jack Wilkinson is currently President of the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture. He served two terms as President of CFA prior to Mr.
Friesen,
and still serves as a member of the CFA Executive Committee and Board of
Directors. In the past he has held the Vice-Presidency of IFAP. Mr.
Wilkinson has a grains and oilseeds and beef cattle operation in
Brethour
Township in Temiskaming, Ontario.
Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). Jack Wilkinson, an Ontario
farmer, was elected at IFAP's 35th General Conference in Cairo,
Egypt.
"This is great news for Canada," said Bob Friesen, President of the
Canadian
Federation of Agriculture (CFA). "We face big challenges in the
international arena right now - the U.S. Farm Bill, continuing high
subsidies in other countries, and foreign challenges to our effective
marketing institutions like supply management. With a Canadian at the
helm
of this important organization, Canada will have more strength to push
its
position abroad."
IFAP was formed in 1946 as a forum to foster cooperation between the
agricultural producers' organizations of the world. 89 organizations
from
68 countries are members of IFAP. This represents over 500 million
farmers
worldwide. IFAP has General Consultative Status with the Economic and
Social Council of the United Nations.
With the election of Mr. Wilkinson, Canada will have three seats on
IFAP.
CFA President Bob Friesen, Vice-President of IFAP during the last term,
will
retain his seat on the executive committee. Leo Bertoia, President of
Dairy
Farmers of Canada, is Chair of the IFAP Dairy Committee and will also
retain
his seat on the Executive Committee. "This maximizes Canada's presence
at
the international level," added Friesen.
"These elections solidify Canada's team approach in international
affairs.
I
am looking forward to contributing to IFAP's work in improving the
farmers'
situation globally," said Wilkinson.
Jack Wilkinson is currently President of the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture. He served two terms as President of CFA prior to Mr.
Friesen,
and still serves as a member of the CFA Executive Committee and Board of
Directors. In the past he has held the Vice-Presidency of IFAP. Mr.
Wilkinson has a grains and oilseeds and beef cattle operation in
Brethour
Township in Temiskaming, Ontario.