“We are calling for an immediate pause on closures and employee terminations for a minimum of 24 months so the government can take time to re-evaluate closures and cuts in areas that are crucial, protect irreplaceable components of the research system, or offer enhancements to Canada’s agriculture landscape that may have been overlooked;” said an NFU news release supported by the 20 farm groups.
It also asked for “full transparency regarding the decision-making process leading up to the cuts, including full disclosure of any impact analysis done; and meaningful engagement with farm organizations to develop a long-term strategy for Canada’s public agricultural research infrastructure.”
The 20 supporters are:
Alberta Federation of Agriculture
Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers
Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN)
British Columbia Fruit Growers Association
BC Organic
Canada Organic Trade Association
Canadian Organic Growers
Canadian Seed Growers Association
Centre d'expertise et de transfert en agriculture biologique et de proximité
Coop Agrobio du Québec
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
Farmers for Climate Solutions
Manitoba Forage Seed Association Inc.
Manitoba Organics
Manitoba Seed Growers Association
National Farmers Union
Ontario Organic
Saskatchewan Seed Growers' Association
SaskOrganics Association Inc.
SeedChange
