Ottawa eyes end to wheat board monopoly on barley....

[skip]

From the Winnipeg Free Press site.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is intent on ending the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on Western barley sales, even though he's met roadblocks on the issue before.

Ritz said after the throne speech Wednesday that he wants to eliminate the board's single-desk selling power.

"That's the end game," Ritz said in a conference call. "Of course it's going to take legislation to do that. We look forward to tabling that."

The federal government said in the throne speech that it will "ensure the freedom of choice for which Western barley farmers overwhelmingly voted."

"Western Canadian farmers have waited a long time to move forward on barley since their plebiscite some three years ago and they are now starting to ask for more than just barley. We will do a synopsis of that and as I say, stay tuned," said Ritz.

Here is the link.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/agriculture/ottawa-intends-to-end-wheat-boards-monopoly-on-western-barley-sales-86285837.html

[stubblejumper]

a carrot to his lagging supporters. we all know he is doing dick

[Raven]

stubblejumper, if pro-choice farmers are looking for a change in the Act in this volatile minority situation, you are probably right. And if this is what choice farmers ask for, then they will get and deserve "dick".

But lets not forget that the monopoly parts of the CWB Act apply equally to all Canada, and Minister Ritz must know that, and after the court ruling, he will know that the Government is in control by authorization from the Act to make regulations.

For example, in the 1980's the CWB refused export licences for barley exports to Ontario farmers (who probably were exporting their own barley into the higher US market and then replacing with cheap western barley) and the government ordered the CWB to grant the licences. The Conservatives can do the same in the west.

[LWeber]

Do you expect more or less "dick" from an androgynous Minister?

[Hopperbin]

I am willing to withhold any party support until I see results.

[Hopperbin]

Raven are you saying all of Canada's farmers should get a vote on the CWB's monopoly? This could have favorable results.

[Raven]

Elected farmers MANAGE the marketing of designated area grain. The government CONTROLS the entire CWB operations, but naturally even more so the Parts of the Act that apply equally to all Canada. The monopoly is not in farmers' hands, its in the hands of the government, currently the Conservatives who have an official policy of marketing choice.

Looking to farmer elections to end the monopoly is futile, but will have the CWB bureaucrats smirking.

[bucket]

Ritz is just looking for votes. I think he knows farmers are getting fed up with his incompetence.

He will do nothing. Too bad.

The liberals would never fight an election over the cwb. The conservatives could do whatever they wanted on this file.