P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture takes offence to remarks by Weston

CHARLOTTETOWN - The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture is taking offence to remarks about farmers delivered by a senior official with the Loblaws supermarket chain, who presented a cheque to a Charlottetown food bank on Tuesday.
"We are appalled at the attitude of Galen Weston Sr. towards farmers," federation president Ernie Mutch said Wednesday.
"When asked why it was that farmers felt they are not receiving a fair price for their product, he said: 'because they are farmers and farmers feel that way.'
"The implication that farmers are complaining because they are farmers is offensive."
Weston is the executive chairman of Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (TSX:L), which owns Atlantic Superstore on the Island.
He said during an interview with the CBC "that supermarkets aren't doing that well right now, including our business."
However, federation manager Mike Nabuurs said third-quarter profits for Loblaw, as of Oct. 10, were $189 million.
"Mr. Weston says farmers are complaining because they are not receiving enough for their product simply 'because they are farmers,' " said Nabuurs.
P.E.I. is losing farmers at an alarming rate, says the federation, because they are not able to recover their cost of production from the marketplace - including grocery store chains.
"What is even more offensive is that the plight of the farmer is compared to the plight of Loblaw corporation," said Nabuurs.
"To suggest that a company which earned profits, in one quarter, of $189 million, is somehow in the same difficult position as many farms across the Island is a clear indication of the lack of true understanding that face agriculture in this province and across the country."
Mutch said the remarks come from the leader of a major corporation that is now promoting its support of local farmers and local products in its advertising campaigns.