November 5, 2009
Miller Introduces Bill on Farm Program Eligibility
Ottawa- Larry Miller, MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound – stood in the House of Commons today to introduce his second Private Members Bill that deals with farm program eligibility.
“The purpose of this bill is to ensure that actual farmers are the primary target and beneficiaries of federally funded farm programs,” said Miller.
The bill would ensure that farm program benefits cannot be paid out by the federal government to large publicly traded and international companies, slaughter plants, or grain trading companies that may happen to also own some agricultural production units.
The bill also ensures that beginning farmers will be eligible for programs and has a very low gross receipts threshold for those farmers that are just starting out.
“I think this bill strikes the right balance between ensuring young and starting out farmers will be eligible for farm programs. It ensures that farm program benefits go to those that make their livelihood from agriculture and operate in a commercial manner,” said Miller.
“Tax dollars should not go to support big multi-national companies, or some peoples hobby,” said Miller. “Business risk management benefits and other farm programs should be reserved to help the commercial farmer ...deal with the unique risks they face in their business,” concluded Miller.
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To schedule an interview with Mr. Miller contact:
Duncan Hamilton
Communications Assistant
Office: 613-996-5191
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