Frustration Among Canadian Farmers Growing

Source from:  tobaccofarmquarterly.com Nov. 20, 2006 11/22/2006

The situation for Canadian tobacco farmers is becoming more desperate as they await word on an exit package, according to this article by Jeff Helsdon, writing for the Tillsonburg News. "The uncertainty, it's just eating you up as a farmer," said Tobacco Farmers In Crisis President Brian Edwards. He said he's getting phone calls from farmers who have had to seek professional help, are telling him about marriage breakups and have had their banks asking for power of attorney to pay the bills. "The level of anxiety is getting higher and higher with each day that goes by," said Fred Neukamm, chairman of the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board. "We need to resolve this quickly. People are getting worried, they're getting scared and they want answers." Growers are facing a slow market and shrinking crop size and uncertainty about an exit package makes planning for the next year difficult. Enditem