Ten years ago Bert Johnson, a Progressive Conservative MPP from what was then the riding of Perth, created Ontario Agriculture Week through a Private Member's Bill. Since that time we have celebrated Ontario Agriculture Week in many ways - from tractors on the front lawn of the Ontario Legislature to events in towns across the province. However you chose to celebrate this occasion it is great time to stop and remember the contributions that our farmers make to the province.

As you may know Agriculture is the second largest industry in Ontario and is vital to the continued strength of our rural communities.

In order to continue Ontario's great farming tradition, and our opportunity to buy local products, our agriculture community needs the support of their governments and the people of Ontario. Consumers could contribute by taking small steps, such as checking labels to ensure whenever possible we are buying Ontario meat and produce or purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farm produce stands.

At a provincial level the government could better support our farmers by removing unnecessary red tape; ensuring that support programs do a better job of addressing the needs of new farmers; and supporting at risk agricultural sectors such as the tender fruit growers.

I think it is appropriate that just before Ontario Agriculture Week, on Thursday October 2, I will have the opportunity to bring my private member's bill, Signage to Promote Ontario Grown Agricultural Food Products Act, 2008 forward for second reading debate. This bill would allow farmers to post seasonal, directional signage on private property adjacent to highways to alert consumers to Ontario grown produce for sale and bring people to the farm.

Many farmers rely on these on-farm sales as an important source of income. One farmer, Charles Emre, who was forced by the Ministry of Transportation to remove his "fresh asparagus" sign from a neighbour's field estimated that his sales dropped 50 per cent as a result.

As we celebrate Ontario Agriculture it seems like a good time to remove this unnecessary red tape that makes it harder for consumers to find Ontario produce and for our farmers to promote their great products. I hope that all my colleagues in the Ontario Legislature will put aside partisan politics and for our farmers' sake support this bill.