Why Object to Plebiscite?

[northfarmer]

who do I want to sell to that I am not selling to now?......lets see....how about the multitude of grain brokers and other multionational grain companies not in the CWB fraternity or their special agents in Wpg, how about the millers in the PNW of the the good old US, or the Canadian Millers or Malsters without beuracrats of the cwb and their agent fraternity taking their bite - like the farmers can do in Que and Ont.....

Geez cannot sell without the board....I am this week meeting with Chinese delegation of buyers who have bought and will agian likley buy the peas right off my farm into the car and transloaded into container on the west coast... should i need to get into the way I also market my canola, and oats????

....your sick of the pro choice rant, I am sick of the conspiracy theorists, closet communists/socialists who think there managed market theory is more efficient.....

so if a vote is what it takes, last i checked we elected guys to do that who had a clear platform and then a mandate to give us choice and freedom in how we market grain....Goodale and his lIberal cronies did not have a plebisite when they made radical changes to the CWB aginast the howling protests of many, when they imprisoned farmers for trying to exercise their riteful freedoms.....

but if a vote is what it takes then lets have one....a weighted vote based on acres or tonnes of historic production, weighted to the most recent years so it is actual producers voting in the designated areas of the CWB and with a clear and concise question, our freedom to chose how we market the production from our own operations.....

[craig]

Luvnlife
I want access to similar risk management tools I use in the open market. In other words the ability to lock in prices I feel are profitable to my operation just as I do the other crops I grow. I want to be able to profit from futures rallies and receive a similar price to what my competitors receive for basically the same grain. Please don't tell me that the producer payment options in their current form are the solution to what I want. That is not to say they that couldn't be. I think the question that needs to be asked is why the CWB doesn't provide producers who are comfortable in the open market, the tools he is looking for. There is a need for someone to oversee operations at the CWB whose role is to protect the interests of those who choose other options than the pool accounts. There is a need to totally seperate the FPC,s and BPC,s programs and revenues generated, from the pool accounts and the PRO's. There is a need to modify BPC,s and address the issue of distance to port. There is a need to revamp the Producer Direct Sale to reward the producer who is willing to spend his time and money to develop a market for his grain. The reality is that there is this ingrained fear by the CWB that if they give up even a small amount of control the who system will unravel around them. I seems that might be happening anyway.

[Lifer]

I am sick of it as well. That because of people's distrust of the U.S and big companies they lash out at their canadian neighbors. Why don't we expand our freedoms.

My neighbor develops a new product or more innovative idea hold them up, celebrate them. Use it as encouragement for yourself to change if you don't like what your doing.

I am sick of the lack of respect shown to a Canadian Farmer(mostly from other farmers).

What makes a farmer different than another small business owner?

[Lifer]

I have trouble understanding this concept of only two choices or three (with dual marketing). A farmer is either for or against the wheat board. That seems too simplistic.

A plebiscite can be divisive. We are all on the same team.

How do we get to a place where an agency is available to be a support to marketing efforts and research efforts in wheat. A place that can allow as much freedom as possible at the same time protecting the common good.(food safety, environmental concerns including human health)

We are not there in wheat.

[wedino]

Well said Northfarmer.

<<but if a vote is what it takes then lets have one....a weighted vote based on acres or tonnes of historic production, weighted to the most recent years so it is actual producers voting in the designated areas of the CWB and with a clear and concise question, our freedom to chose how we market the production from our own operations.....>>

[wedino]

Well Said northfarmer,

""but if a vote is what it takes then lets have one....a weighted vote based on acres or tonnes of historic production, weighted to the most recent years so it is actual producers voting in the designated areas of the CWB and with a clear and concise question, our freedom to chose how we market the production from our own operations.....""

[AdamSmith]

I don't know anyone who enjoys conflict, luvnlife. I don't like being in conflict with Agstar77 and I'm sure he would prefer not to be in conflict with me. But if you are passionate about something and you believe in it deeply you accept the fact that in order to achieve your goals you must endure the conflict that will arise when you stand your ground.

Luvnlife you asked who can't I sell my wheat to that I can't today. You also wanted short words and small sentences. Well let's see here, see if this works for you.

"I want to be able to sell to all the other buyers of wheat and barley out there and not be penalized for doing so"

Now why am I such a terrible person for wanting to do that for myself?

It was my decision to grow it, it was my work that made it happen, it was my money that was invested into growing it, and after all of that, I just want to be able to decide for myself where, when and to whom I sell it and without penalty.

Someone please, tell me why I am a terrible, greedy, son of a bugger, for wanting to do such a simple thing?

[agstar77]

At least we agree its the principle.

[AdamSmith]

Agstar77, yes, we agree it's principle (for you and I)


Now could you be a dear and answer my question, please.

Why, in you opinion is my belief flawed?

[TOM4CWB]

Agstar;

DO we agree those who need marketing choices... are discriminated against by the CWB?

I brought up a number of problem with the present CWB system... with no response... VALID issues.

Does anyone remember Dec 2004... when the whole CWB Election process was stopped by a Federal Court Injunction?

What was done since then to fix the election to make it democratic?

One small step by Honourable Minister Strahl... and the NFU screamed blue murder.

Perhaps these NFU folks have a conscience after all... and are having to think twice before they automatically vote more than once in the CWB Director Elections?

Or will they swear out FALSE Stat. Declarations... and vote more than once anyway?

Wouldn't a few NFU top brass in prison... for breaking the CWB election laws; be Justice?

[agstar77]

I don't have a dogmatic view of who should market my grain. I prefer the CWB system of orderly marketing. I am more concerned about the survival of Grain farming as rural enterprise. The route you are suggesting will make everyone more dependent on large corporations which don't have any particular interest in the makeup of agriculture, as long as they profit. I am not saying they are wrong, that it is just the way it is. I do think we need some strong voices to balance their power. No offence to T4, but I don't believe individual voices like his will be given much merit in the corporate boardrooms. The changes proposed by the committee,CWBII, would just end up with a large corporation to be swallowed by others. Farmers were screwed by the changes to the Crow Rate. There has been a degradation in service and an increase in cost. This gives me pause to be skeptical of any benefits killing the CWB will give me. You have not presented convincing arguements that most farmers will be better off after the CWB, at least none that I can sleep better at night with.

[AdamSmith]

Thanks Agstar77, but call me selfish, I want to understand why it's wrong headed of me to want to look after myself and why I'm portrayed as evil for wanting to look after my own affairs, without penalty? Even if I'm the only one in western Canada who feels this way? (I know I'm not) If I'm evil or irrational, tell me why please. If I'm not then why can't we develop something that can accomodate all those with differing opinions. Or is it an impossible task? Is this the future of grain farming in Canada, bitter division, from now until eternity? Do you not want something better?

Hey I accept your preference for you but why can't you accept my preference for me? I'll bend over backwards to try to address your concerns, but I will not accept that I have to surrender to you 100% of my ambitions in order to accomodate your fears.

Can you not understand, even a little bit where I'm coming from?