Ritz fails to consult all farmers
The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, January 25, 2008
I was disappointed, although not surprised, to read Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's response to the Canadian Wheat Board's CashPlus program for malting barley.
He dismissed the program out of hand and then said he has "repeatedly advised the board to consult with producers".
I have news for him -- the board not only consults with farmers every day, but the CWB is led by farmers.
Email to a friend
Printer friendly
Font:****I was elected to represent the farmers of District 7 in a hotly contested campaign that was fought and won largely on the issue of my support for single-desk selling.
The CashPlus program was developed in consultation with farmers and was presented to farm organizations for their feedback almost a month before its release.
In January, I presented the CashPlus program to a group of 160 farmers, all leaders in their communities. The response from this group of progressive, entrepreneurial farmers was positive.
To put that 160 number in perspective, that is 30 more farmers than there are members of the Western Barley Growers' Association, one of the two farm organizations the minister seems to "feel" worthy of consideration.
I must also point out that, as an elected director of the CWB, I have never banned those in my district with whom I disagree from participating in one of my forums. Ritz, however, has held closed-door consultations with his hand-selected farm groups and refused to invite representatives of groups that support "the single desk".
Might I suggest the minister consider taking his own advice and begin consulting with farmers, all farmers, not just the 13.8 per cent who agree with his government's agenda to destroy our single desk?
Kyle Korneychuk
Korneychuk is the elected director for the Canadian Wheat Board's District 7.
Pelly
The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, January 25, 2008
I was disappointed, although not surprised, to read Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's response to the Canadian Wheat Board's CashPlus program for malting barley.
He dismissed the program out of hand and then said he has "repeatedly advised the board to consult with producers".
I have news for him -- the board not only consults with farmers every day, but the CWB is led by farmers.
Email to a friend
Printer friendly
Font:****I was elected to represent the farmers of District 7 in a hotly contested campaign that was fought and won largely on the issue of my support for single-desk selling.
The CashPlus program was developed in consultation with farmers and was presented to farm organizations for their feedback almost a month before its release.
In January, I presented the CashPlus program to a group of 160 farmers, all leaders in their communities. The response from this group of progressive, entrepreneurial farmers was positive.
To put that 160 number in perspective, that is 30 more farmers than there are members of the Western Barley Growers' Association, one of the two farm organizations the minister seems to "feel" worthy of consideration.
I must also point out that, as an elected director of the CWB, I have never banned those in my district with whom I disagree from participating in one of my forums. Ritz, however, has held closed-door consultations with his hand-selected farm groups and refused to invite representatives of groups that support "the single desk".
Might I suggest the minister consider taking his own advice and begin consulting with farmers, all farmers, not just the 13.8 per cent who agree with his government's agenda to destroy our single desk?
Kyle Korneychuk
Korneychuk is the elected director for the Canadian Wheat Board's District 7.
Pelly
Comment