KFA fighting for ER

Strong opposition to the proposed closing of Emergency Rooms at the Sydenham and Petrolia hospitals headed the list of important agenda items. The Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA) has sent a letter to Gary Switzer, CEO of the Erie St Clair Local Health Integration Network as well as a resolution to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

“Rural Ontario is the workplace for farmers. Due to the hazardous nature of our business and the significant rate of injury, it is imperative that farmers have timely access to emergency health care, as delayed transportation times can be life threatening in an emergency medical situation” Alice Uher, president of the KFA, said in the letter of opposition which will also be sent to area MPP’s, the Minister of Health, and Jeff Wesley, Chair of the Save Our Sydenham Committee.

In addition to the resolution sent to OFA supporting the maintenance of rural emergency rooms, the KFA has forwarded another resolution calling on the OFA to lobby the Ontario government to take a lead role in harmonizing the required regulatory, inspection and program related paperwork in order to avoid duplication across government agencies, reducing approval time and the amount of work required by farmers. This would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of government services, inspections and programs.

The Kent Federation of Agriculture will once again take the lead in the ’09 update of the Chatham-Kent “Buy Local! Buy Fresh” map planned for this spring. Interested Chatham-Kent farmers are urged to contact the KFA for participation in this new map.

The KFA is also planning to host First Aid and CPR training for farmers this spring.

Finally, planning is underway by the Kent Federation of Agriculture for the agricultural presentation to Mayor Randy Hope and Chatham-Kent Council through the Chatham-Kent Unified Farm Voice, scheduled for Monday, April 6.