CWB and the EU

[TOM4CWB]

Charlie and Lee;

I see that CANADA MUST PROVE THE CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD DOES NOT SUBSIDIZE.

The CBC reports that the CWB and export subsidies came under attack at the World Meat Congress in Winnipeg Tuesday.

Franz Fischler, the EU's commissioner for agriculture, rural development, and fisheries, said the Canadian government will have to justify its belief that the CWB is not offering unfair export subsidies.

"In our view, in the way the wheat board operates, we think there are certain elements of export subsidization involved," said Franz Fischler.

"If we now discuss the total phasing out of export subsidization, then all forms means all forms from the CWB. This must be absolutely clear and there can't be any doubt."

Charlie or Lee;

Cross subsidisation to Asia Pacific, Middle Eastern, and South American countries... through the pooling accounts from revenue collected on EU, North American, and Japaneese high quality sales will be front and centre in the examinations, won't they Charlie or Lee?

[cowman]

Does Canada subsidize: I am not completely sure of my dates so bare with me. Around 1988 there was a general frost over much of the prairies. The wheat crop was generally devastated. That same year the CWB announced that they had made this fantastic sale of wheat to the USSR! Of course the Russians didn't want this frozen garbage and insisted on top grade...after all they were paying a major premium to the CWB for this grain!
So all the top wheat went to Russia for the premium, while the trash went to the Canadian millers! The bread that year, in Canada was really bad...it fell apart in the toaster!
Meanwhile Russia had this top milling wheat, but that was good right? After all they paid a heavy premium?
Well it turns out in the long run they never paid anything! It was all done on Canadian government loans(never repaid) and the Russians got to eat free Canadian wheat while us dumb buggers back home ate pig feed!
That is the joke of "subsidies"? If we continue to give it away how in the hell can we condemn the EU and Americans of unfairly subsidizing wheat?

[ALLFARMER]

Stephen Harper is still saying once elected he will do away with the CWB's monopoly. Harper also has a half dozen of Brian Mulroney's former guys on staff (with a job for Brian if elected) so I really doubt if its worth my time to drive to town and vote. The only good that will come out of this election is that we will have a minority government.