Nova Scotia's political parties aren't presenting Grade A solutions to troubles in the beef industry, according to cattle farmers.
Struggling beef producers hammered the message home Thursday at a political forum at the Atlantic stockyard near Truro. Instead of cattle, they bid on the parties' ideas to help them stay in business. The money raised is going to Feed Nova Scotia.
But the bidding didn't jump very high.
The NDP's promise of a 10-year plan to help farms become more profitable earned $90.
"Agriculture is about communities. It's about people's dreams and hopes," said John MacDonnell, the party's pitchman.
An auctioneer got $25 for the Liberal party's proposal for transitional funding and the development of a multi-year plan for the industry.
The Progressive Conservatives fared even worse. Farmers were only willing to give up $10 to former agriculture minister Brooke Taylor, whose party recently rejected their request for $3.5 million.
"The Nova Scotia cattle producers have expressed frustration with our government over delays in responding," Taylor said, acknowledging the low amount.
The three main political parties all agree that to become more profitable, the beef industry must do more to improve product quality.
But farmers say that would increase their costs and they simply are not in a position to spend more unless food prices go up or farms receive more financial help from governments.
Time is running out, they say.
Betty Lou Scott said most beef producers won't be around in three to four years. She wants someone to address the fact that only about 15 per cent of the beef consumed in Nova Scotia is raised in the province.
"We just feel it's time that somebody took a look at where the food is coming from," said Scott, who raises Angus cattle at Mount Thom. "Whatever the cost, somebody's got to step up to the plate and support local food."
As the lines of credit run out, Curt Sherman, a cattle farmer in Collingwood, fears the political rhetoric won't do his family any good.
"My biggest concern is the immediate future. Everybody is working on a long-term strategy. But the real problem the industry faces is how do we get through this summer?" said Sherman.
