Ontario’s ginseng growers say they’re being ignored by Haldimand-Norfolk MP Diane Finley as they try to create a marketing agency.

The Ginseng Marketing Group of Ontario plans to set up a marketing agency with nine full-time staff and 30 seasonal staff working out of the former tobacco warehouse in Delhi.

Spokesperson Gordon Malo said the growers applied to the federal government’s price pooling program in March. But the proposal has been stuck for months, waiting for the approval of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

“We are at the final piece of red tape, the minister’s signature, and we need Finley to make a phone call on our behalf because the economic significance for our area is tremendous,” said Malo.

Malo said Finley has not responded to repeated requests for a meeting or even a phone call to the ginseng growers.

“We get no answer . . . Week after week goes by and it gets very frustrating,” Malo said.

The federal price-pooling program would include a provision for price guarantees for the crop. Malo said the proposal from the farmers has been endorsed by Agriculture Canada at the department level but needs ministerial approval.

Ginseng has emerged as one of the leading alternative crops in Norfolk and Elgin counties after the virtual collapse of the tobacco industry.

There are about 200 ginseng growers in Ontario, compared to only 118 tobacco farmers who now grow the crop on contract after their quota system was scrapped this year.

In contrast to tobacco, ginseng is prized for its reputed health benefits, especially in Asian countries.

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Bob Speller vowed to end the neglect of our rural communities as he was confirmed as the Liberal candidate for Haldimand-Norfolk in the next federal election.

“I am fighting for the jobs and prosperity that the people of Haldimand-Norfolk want and deserve,” Speller said.

Speller, 53, is no stranger to local people. He was born in Hagersville and has lived his entire life in Haldimand-Norfolk. He was first elected as a member of parliament in 1988 and was re-elected in 1993, 1997, and 2000. In 2003 he was named Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.

“People ask me why I am running after already being a Member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture. It’s because I just can’t sit idly by as our farmers and our families, our steel workers and industries, and our people and our communities are neglected by the Harper government,” said Speller.

“I have a proven record as someone who works hard, gets results, and will never let you down. I am running again to fight for the prosperity our people want and deserve.”

Speller said the Harper government has put Canada into a $50-billion deficit yet Haldimand-Norfolk is not seeing the promised infrastructure spending and jobs that would assist our community.

“In Haldimand-Norfolk we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country while the Harper government has created the country’s highest deficit in history,” said Speller. “We have the highest deficit and in Haldimand-Norfolk we have the least to show for it.”

Speller said our agricultural sector faces serious challenges both in Haldimand-Norfolk and across Canada but the Harper government has failed to act.

“Canada’s agriculture sector is in crisis,” Speller said. “Harper doesn’t understand that ignoring a crisis does not make it go away. It makes it worse.”

Haldimand-Norfolk is also challenged by unresolved land claims which casts a cloud over our entire local economy, Speller said.

“Harper has ignored the land claims issue in our area and as a result it is only getting worse. In contrast, Michael Ignatieff has already turned his attention to seeking a solution by meeting local Caledonia residents and the Six Nations leadership.”

Harper allowed Stelco to be sold to U.S. Steel with a weak agreement that should never have been allowed to happen, Speller said. “Harper sold our steel industry and all of us down the river and now our good-paying jobs have gone south.”

In contrast to Harper, Michael Ignatieff understands that Canada can only be prosperous if our rural communities are prosperous, Speller said.

“You can count on me to use my experience as federal minister of agriculture to drive forward our party’s vision of putting the concerns of rural communities front and centre where they belong.”

Bob Speller is the Liberal candidate for Haldimand-Norfolk in the next federal election.

“I want to do everything I can for the people of Haldimand-Norfolk to secure the prosperity they want and deserve,” said Speller. “I am running because we are falling behind under the Stephen Harper government and I believe enough is enough.”

Speller made the announcement June 21 at a town hall meeting in Renton featuring Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

“Michael Ignatieff understands that Canada can only be prosperous if our rural communities are prosperous,” said Speller.

“That’s why Michael Ignatieff’s first trip following the recess of Parliament was to Haldimand-Norfolk to listen to our concerns.”

Speller, 53, was born in Hagersville has lived his entire life in Haldimand-Norfolk. He was first elected as a member of parliament in 1988 and was re-elected in 1993, 1997, and 2000. In 2003 he was named Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.

“My experience as federal minister of agriculture will be a real asset as I work with Michael Ignatieff to realize his vision of putting the concerns of rural communities front and centre where they belong.”