Canadians want to hear from farmers, the data shows
By Jackie Clark
Staff Writer
Farms.com
As Bill 156, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020, moves toward becoming a law, agricultural groups across Ontario continue to express their support. However, animal activist groups have received some attention in mainstream media for their opposition to the legislation.
“Animal activist groups have been very vocal in their dislike of the bill because it will certainly hamper some of their undercover activities,” Kelly Daynard told Farms.com. She’s the executive director of Farm & Food Care Ontario.
Some animal activist groups have claimed Bill 156 is an attempt to hide poor animal welfare practices. The purpose of the bill, however, is to protect farmers’ property, animal health, and biosecurity, Daynard said.
Farmers generally know the importance of Bill 156, as well as the PAWS Act, which the government enacted to safeguard animal welfare.
So how do farmers ensure that the public understands their side of the story?
In total, 71 per cent of Canadians hold farmers responsible for providing credible information, 2019 data from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity showed. In contrast, only 29 per cent of Canadians hold advocacy groups responsible for the same task. When asked who Canadians trust in the food system, survey respondents ranked farmers and producers the highest.
So, the activist groups may be loud “but, in terms of a credibility rating, they don't come across as credible as somebody who lives and breathes” agriculture, Daynard said.
A growing percentage of Canadians have a very positive or positive general impression of the country’s agricultural industry. This figure grew from 41 per cent in 2006 to 60 per cent in 2019.
Canadians still “have a lot of questions,” Daynard said. Agriculture is “a complicated industry and the things we take for granted in this industry somebody in downtown Toronto or Ottawa has never even heard of.”
Canadians want to listen to farmers to learn about the industry. This desire could offer a helpful avenue for educating the public about the importance of Bill 156. Many farmers in Ontario, such as Farmer Tim on Facebook or Sandi Brock on YouTube, are already doing the important work of sharing their stories.
When advocating for ag, “I always say you need to do a solid self-assessment,” said Daynard. Determine your strengths, and what method of advocacy might best suit you.
“I know of farmers who would be amazing at doing a briefing about Bill 156 at Queen's Park. But they might not be the best to go into a kindergarten class with a piglet, and vice versa,” Daynard explained.
Many ways to get involved exist. Farmers can talk with friends outside the industry, post on social media, engage with government officials, or write a letter to the editor.
“We have so many tools at our disposal now. I think back to the days where you'd go to your local photo fair and you take a Bristol board display of agriculture. Now, we all have smartphones,” Daynard added.
“It can be exhausting being on duty (constantly). But, you know, we're a really small part of the population. So, when you have the chance to have those conversations, you've got to take them,” she said. “You might be the only person working in agriculture or the only farmer that person has ever met.”
In terms of Bill 156, farmers can help provide transparency through their advocacy. Producers can also explain the bill’s importance for protecting their homes and animals.
“I think this legislation will protect farmers from some of the scarier aspects of animal activism. … You shouldn't be scared to farm,” Daynard said.
As of June 12, the province’s standing committee on general government was considering the bill.
Viktorcvetkovic\E+ photo