Crop commissions across the province are urging farmers, ranchers and farm workers to complete a survey designed to gather feedback on Bill 6.

The Crop Sector Working Group is trying to gather as much information as possible as the industry gets closer to government consultations expected to begin as early as February.

“The survey is designed to acquire productive, on-farm feedback relating to Bill 6,” said Lee Markert, Chairman, Alberta Canola Producers Commission. “Sufficient opportunities to provide feedback need to be offered to farmers, ranchers and farm workers to ensure this legislation reflects the uniqueness of our industry.”

Interim survey results will be compiled in preparation for an industry meeting on Friday, Jan 22nd hosted by the Crop Sector Working Group and the Intensive Livestock Sector Working Group. The survey will remain open until Feb 13, 2016 to ensure sufficient feedback has been collected as our industry considers our participation in the government consultations.

The Crop Sector Working Group includes the Alberta Wheat Commission, Alberta Barley, Alberta Pulse Growers Commission, Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Alberta Oat Growers Commission, Potato Growers of Alberta, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Alberta Rye and Triticale Association.

“In the wake of Bill 6, provincial commissions and industry stakeholders have formed an unprecedented coalition united due to the necessity of obtaining farmers input for these upcoming consultations. We intend to work together to develop a strategy to direct the government in shaping this legislation into something that will work for all farmers and ranchers. The survey results will serve as key information to be used for decision-making going forward,” Markert said.

Farmers and ranchers can fill out the survey at http://albertacanola.com/bill6survey