CWB vs WTO

[TOM4CWB]

Boone,

How about that 14.5% tarrif on CWRS that could be going south... instead of paying an extra $70/t ocean freight?

Doesn't this hurt all of us?

And as hopper cars/handling systems infrastructure was one of the main reasons this tariff was put in place... is the rail car issue not just going to freeze the tarrif or even allow more grains to be added to the list?

I understand new cars can haul 110t instead of 85t the old ones haul... a 20% increase in efficency... which means we will pay more to haul less for longer... if we keep these cars around.

Further, the rail car group expected to have all these cars fixed up before they were turned over for the $1.

What are the chances this will happen?

So obviously the cost of repair will probably be millions upon millions... not free by any stretch.

There is 80 billion a year for Canada, and 16 billion a year (presentation by Grain Growers of Canada on Friday @ Alberta Barley Commission mtg.) for Alberta if we can get rid of all tariffs.

Now that would pay for a few leasing new 110t rail cars... wouldn't it Boone?

[carebear300]

There is no quarantee, as I see dealing with the americans(due to past experience) that even if we do away with the wheat board and don't get into the subsidization of the purchase(guarantee or whatever) that the americans will remove that subsidy as I see it. Now I may be completely wrong but nothing has been shown to me by there past actions to think that they just won't drum up some new excuse to put a tariff on our wheat or am I wrong?

[agstar77]

At current world prices ,whatever those might be, we cannot help but export below our cost of production as do the americans . That means they can always claim we are dumping no matter what we do, ergo we should not give up anything as we will get nothing in return.

[boone]

Tom4cwb: I don't disagree with your points here,,,but the railways appear to be scared 'SHIRTLESS' of this FRCC bunch getting power over these cars, what are they really afraid of. And don't start with this inefficiency thing. Remember these are the companies that pulled up the double track west of Jasper because they didn't need it at that moment. These boys wrote the book on the subject. They have more power than God in this country, an irrefutable fact. If the FRCC can run as a business why should I care if the R.R. feet go to the fire.

[freenorth]

The complete elimination of export subsidies is a valuable objective. In
oats there have been times when they were over $1/b. The reduction in
tarriffs can also contribute significantly to our revenue.

Does anyone really think the present system is working? If so for who?

Canada cannot stand alone and expect to get meaningful improvements.
Canada will comply, if we don't we'll only be putting in place even
more barriers to trade. You have to give up something to get something it's not rocket science.

So why not figure out how to turn this mixed enterprise into a delinked entity and offer farmers choice and value added opportunity.

[Vader]

Great Discussion!

The CWB must be delinked from government guarantees, government appointed directors, and it must be privatized in a fashion similar to the Australian Wheat Board.

Only then will Canadian Farmers be able to buy into the concept that it is "their" wheat board and that they control it for their own benefit.

When farmers believe that they own, operate and control the CWB then the whole concept of a "monopoly" if it exists at all would be a monopoly for the benefit of the farmers who control it.

I know that the dyed-in-the-wool dual marketers will still gripe about their "rights" and "freedom". That is the price we pay for living in a democratic society. We all agree to abide by majority rule and we all have the right to free speech and protest.

[boone]

POST: I typed in 'value added industries/prairies' in google, it came back, for who? I answered, farmers. It said see Mirage;...an illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects.
Am I asking the wrong people or the wrong questiion.

[Incognito]

This is what i got for Mirage (could also be cornfused with some broker's cement pond in the Peg):

Set amidst lush foliage, towering waterfalls and sparkling lagoons, The Mirage is a South Seas oasis, offering the serenity of the tropics and the excitement of Las Vegas. A fiery volcano welcomes you to this AAA-Four Diamond resort featuring 2,763 deluxe rooms and 281 luxuriously appointed suites.

Elegant surroundings, attention to detail and dedicated employees create a memorable experience whether your stay is for business or pleasure, or a little of both. Fine dining, legendary entertainment, exquisite meeting facilities and the unique jungle sanctuary for Siegfried and Roy's rare exotic animals complement the amenities of a luxurious Spa and Salon, dramatic lagoon pool, full service business center, and eclectic array of designer shops.

[boone]

Nito Incog; mine was tongue in cheek, yours is what? maybe tongue in groove? laughing oout looud
My point is buy city realestate, it will be the only value added for producers. IMHO

[boone]

Vader I agree in total with what you say. But for everyone that realizes in the organization,(CWB) there are some who remember the power of the SWP (back before steer-age ) and the NFU when they had half of the membership they boasted, and they are afraid of a silent majority. They aren't there, I went to the auction and I saw them later in the mall. Except now their grinning. Let's get on with it already.