From now until August 31, 2008, Farmers
for Justice will be conducting an extensive online opinion poll on a
variety of areas. This survey is completely confidential, and your
name and personal identifying data will not be released to anyone.
Click here.
No Deal Is a Bad Deal
for Canadian Farmers
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) stated emphatically
today that no new deal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) would be a
bad deal for Canadian farmers.
Without a new agreement, the future competitiveness of Canada 's
agriculture industry is at stake. The current international trading
market remains significantly distorted by a range of barriers -
including restrictive tariffs, arbitrary limits on market access,
domestic support programs and export subsidies. Combined with the
weakened U.S. dollar, which puts an additional burden on all Canadian
exporters, the pressure on Canadian agricultural exporters has never
been higher. Over 92% (210,000) of Canadian farmers are directly
dependent on export markets - they either export their products or sell
them domestically at prices set by international marketplaces.
"Billions are at stake for export dependent agriculture,"
says Darcy Davis, President of CAFTA. "To not get a new WTO
agreement would mean tariffs can be raised and domestic supports
increased to further distort international trade. Canada 's
trade-dependent agriculture sectors, by far the majority of our
agriculture producers, need a new deal not just to increase our access
to world markets, but to maintain what we've got. There is no status
quo."
CAFTA delegates remain in Geneva where international ministers of
trade are attempting to hammer out an agreement on a package of
compromise parameters for agricultural tariff and subsidy reductions.
Failure to reach an agreement would mean failure for the Doha Round of
WTO negotiations and the likelihood that no new WTO agreement would be
reached for years.
June 6, 2008 -- A poll conducted by a long-time
Liberal insider on behalf of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) confirms
Western Canadian farmers overwhelmingly support barley marketing
freedom. A closer look at the CWB survey results released today shows
Western Canadian farmers’ demands for barley marketing freedom are
even stronger than CWB Chair Larry Hill stated during his appearance at
the Senate Committee on Agriculture yesterday.
“There is no longer any doubt how strong and deep support for
barley marketing freedom now runs among Western Canadian farmers,”
said the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.
When Mr. Hill appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee he
said 57 per cent of Western Canadian farmers are demanding marketing
freedom for barley. What the CWB’s own survey actually says is that 57
per cent of Western Canadian farmers want marketing freedom for wheat.
The CWB’s survey actually shows that nearly 70 per cent of Western
Canadian farmers are demanding barley marketing freedom. In fact, Mr.
Herle specifically states in the survey that “dual marketing is the
preference among farmers for barley marketing” and “if they cannot
have a dual market, most would prefer an open market to the single
desk.”
“The results of this survey are so clear the Liberals cannot even
spin the numbers coming from their own insider to support their
ideological crusade against Western Canadian barley farmers,” said
Minister Ritz.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and this Government are working hard to
deliver barley marketing freedom and it is time for the Liberals to give
Western Canadian barley farmers the freedom they are demanding by
supporting Bill C-46.
Opposition Parties
Block Barley Marketing Bill Fast Track
Canada's opposition parties blocked a move by the minority
Conservative government on Monday to "fast-track" an end to
the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on barley.
Opposition parties declined to consent to a government plan to
directly send the barley bill to the agriculture committee, meaning it
will follow the usual track of debate and a vote in the House of Commons
before going to the committee.
"We had hoped that it would go to committee, because that would
allow it to be fast-tracked," said David Anderson, parliamentary
secretary to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
The Conservatives have promised to end the Wheat Board's marketing
monopoly on western wheat and barley and give farmers the choice of
selling through the CWB or directly to millers, maltsters and export
markets.
The farmer-run CWB had C$4.95 billion ($4.85 billion) in revenue last
year, mainly from wheat, making it one of the world's largest grain
traders.
Its supporters say the agency could not compete without its monopoly
because it does not own handling facilities.
The government planned to first end the smaller barley single desk on
August 1, but needs support from at least one opposition party to pass a
bill introduced early in March.
Opposition parties have said they do not support the bill. Parliament
breaks from June 20 until September 15, making it unlikely the bill
could pass in time for the August 1 target.
"We'd like the see (the changes) take place by August 1. I don't
know if that's possible now. We'll have to see," Anderson said in
an interview. "The constraints of a minority government are that if
the opposition doesn't ... want to pass a bill, we don't have the
numbers to force it through," he said.
Anderson said recent polling done for the CWB shows farmers support
the government's plan.
The survey said 41 percent of farmers want the option of dealing with
the CWB or selling directly to barley buyers, while 26 percent wanted
the CWB out of the barley market, and 27 percent supported the CWB's
role.
When asked to choose between an open market and the CWB, 52 percent
of farmers said the market should open, while 40 percent wanted the CWB
to retain its monopoly.
August 7, 2008 -- For 73 years, the Canadian
Wheat Board swore there was strength in numbers; that Western farmers,
as a band of grain-pooling brothers, could stand firm against the
exploitations of speculators and corporations; that as one of the
world's biggest grain marketers, its clout commands premiums. Announcing
last week that the board projects a record $7-billion in revenue this
year, chairman Larry Hill handed credit directly to monopoly power. The
"CWB was able to leverage its role as a single seller ... to
achieve strong values for farmers" boasted his press release.
A new study by one of the world's top agronomics firms, Informa
Economics, though, suggests the CWB isn't so mighty after all.
Commissioned by the Alberta government and released the same day as Mr.
Hill's announcement, it concluded the board succeeds no better than your
average schmo when it comes to grain marketing. More damning, it
calculates that growers would have gotten richer over the past several
years from the open market, rather than being forced to sell to the
board.
Freeing farmers from the CWB's monopolistic grip has been the federal
Conservatives' plan since they were elected in 2006, rooted in Reform
Party principles that Westerners deserve the same rights as their
Eastern peers to freely sell a product of their labour. So far, their
efforts have been frustrated. But this latest report may offer the most
powerful ammunition yet in undermining the Canadian Wheat Board's entire
raison d'etre.
"If you could show that year in, year out they get a higher
return you might be able to argue, 'Well maybe there is a case for
denying individual freedom,' " says Blair Rutter, executive
director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, a
pro-marketing-choice group. "If you can't even demonstrate that
they get an above-average return, then what's their justification?"
The CWB has studied the report for the past several days, preparing
its response. In an e-mail, spokeswoman Maureen Fitzhenry said it may
come as early as today and "would certainly refute its main
conclusion."
This will be a tough thing to dismiss, though. Informa's reputation
is as a top authoritative source for agronomics analysis. Based in
Memphis, British owned, it has no dog in this policy fight; its good
name (its parent firm is traded on the London exchange) is surely worth
more than scoring political points in Canada with faulty studies.
Economists used a treasury of grain pricing data from the UN, USDA
and published elevator and gate prices to analyze wheat board
profitability using three different models (the CWB refused to share its
own confidential sales figures, but controlling 95% of Canadian wheat
and barley exports, national statistics come close). Every which way,
the study found board taking home prices that, over time, came up short.
If the CWB ever was a market mover, it is no more, says David Reimann,
Informa's vice-president. Producers in the former Soviet bloc export
more wheat. Americans, too. Western Canada, suffering a heavier drop in
wheat acreage than any exporting jurisdiction, slipped from 20% world
market share in 1995 to 14%. Canadian barley, just 11%. "The CWB's
relatively small share in the international market means it is unable to
exert any real influence over global prices," the report states. It
is a "price taker" -- meaning it gets the going rate. Anyone
can manage that. And without the inefficiencies of the single-desk
system, the authors estimate, Western producers could have made
$2.25-billion-$3-billion more over the last five years in the open
market.
That's Alberta's interest in fact-checking the CWB's claims, spending
$50,000 on the report to do it; its producers have long favoured
marketing choice (Saskatchewan recently joined the campaign, too,
leaving Manitoba's NDP the board's only provincial ally). "The
evidence is that the current system is costing [farmers] money,"
says Alberta Agriculture spokesman Lucas Warren. "We want to
provide the best economic opportunity for them."
The federal Conservatives' approach, though, has faced accusations of
being more ideological than practical. Attempts to, as a first step, let
barley farmers opt out of the CWB have been thwarted by an aggressive,
activist board. Directors overturned the government's tries at
regulatory changes in court. Opposition parties refuse to support
legislation deregulating barley, persuaded by the CWB that a majority of
producers prefer the status quo and believe it makes more than going it
alone.
But the board's own surveys have shot the first claim: 67% of barley
farmers polled this year oppose its monopoly. And if the CWB can't offer
one heck of a compelling argument to controvert Alberta's new and potent
evidence that board collectivism actually hurts farmers, not helps them,
it's going to have a tough time selling its strength in numbers story
any longer.
Olds Area Farmer Jeff
Nielsen Runs in CWB Election
July 31, 2008 -- Olds area farmer Jeff Nielsen
announced today he will run for director of district 2 in the Canadian
Wheat Board's (CWB's) fall elections. Nielsen will run on the platform
that marketing choice can and will work for farmers - and for the
CWB.
"Marketing choice is a goal of mine not just for district 2 but
for all of western Canadian wheat and barley producers," says
Nielsen. "I have been encouraged by many of my farmer colleagues to
run for the CWB director position and I look forward to the opportunity
to serve the farmers of district 2."
Nielsen adds: "I personally support more choice for farmers and
if elected I will work hard at the board table to achieve that objective
while also preserving the CWB. I believe that the Canadian Wheat Board
can continue to be a successful marketing alternative, just as the
Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board (OWPMB) is for Ontario
producers, even though the OWPMB doesn't have monopoly powers.
"It is time to move forward and I will bring my experience to
the CWB board table in advocating for policies and programs that will
achieve marketing choice while also preserving principles of the CWB,
like pooling, for the benefit those producers who want that
option."
In his years as director of both United Grain Growers and Agricore
United, Nielsen worked with proactive farm leaders to represent the
needs of farmers in district 2. If elected, he will continue to
represent them.
Nielsen operates J. E. Nielsen Farms Inc., a 1,350-acre grain and
oilseed farm near Olds, Alberta and is currently the president of the
Western Barley Growers Association. He has also been on numerous trade
missions to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland,
promoting more trade liberalization to provide the grains, oilseed,
pulses, pork and beef producer's better market access and returns.
June 30, 2008 -- One statistic concerning the
Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) has always caused me wry amusement. When I
first began covering the country's collectivist grain merchant more than
a decade ago, it claimed to represent more than 120,000 farmers on the
prairies. Today it boasts just 75,000.
The amusing part is that this decline undermines the board's central
argument for its own worth -- namely that there is strength in numbers;
all prairie wheat and barley farmers must be lashed to the board's mast
together or, as individuals, they would surely sink.
But in just under 15 years, the number of farmers with permit books --
the licenses they need to sell their grain to the government, and only
the government -- has fallen by almost half. If there is so much
strength in numbers, how come farmers can be permitted to stop growing
the grains that the wheat board markets?
Seriously. When I first argued that the board should be voluntary, there
were nearly 120,000 farmers pooling their wheat together under the CWB's
"single-desk" selling model. I said, even if a quarter of them
chose to market outside the board, that would still leave 90,000, more
than enough to provide the strength through unity the board argued was
essential.
At the time, board supporters and PR types insisted 90,000 wouldn't do
the trick. For their system to work, it had to include all 120,000.
Over the intervening years, tens of thousands of farmers have left to
grow non-board crops, such as oats, beans, flax and so on. Some have
left farming altogether because the board wouldn't free them to sell
independently the wheat or barley they grew on their own land, with
their own labour, using their own resources. All that's left is 75,000
growers, far fewer than the 90,000 I was told a decade ago was too few
to keep the board viable.
Yet, still the board insists there is no room for farmers to sell their
wheat except through the CWB.
It's clear, then, the board has no idea what number of farmers is needed
to keep it viable, and equally clear the number of farmers shackled to
it doesn't matter to the board. What matters -- as it does to all
bureaucratic, central-planning agencies -- is control and survival. The
board is not interested in maximizing return to farmers as much as it
interested in maintaining its iron grip over prairies grain sales and,
thereby, ensuring its own continued existence.
If the strength-in-numbers argument were valid, the board would not only
be arguing for retention of its monopoly but for an addition law
insisting no current wheat or barley grower should be permitted to
switch to other crops, or, for that matter, to quit farming altogether.
When I have made this argument before, I have been told it is
preposterous, that the board would never dream of forcing farmers to
keep farming crops they don't want to. But how is that any more
preposterous than forcing them to sell the crops they have chosen to
grow only to the board, or face jail time?
The simple fact is, there is no difference. The coercion is only a
matter of degrees.
If the board is still as viable at 75,000 farmers as it was at
120,000
-- and the board insists it is -- than it would be equally viable at
50,000 or 60,000, if those farmers content to take the risk of marketing
their own grain were freed to do so.
There is no legitimate argument -- economic or moral -- for permitting
the board to retain its absolute control over prairie grain sales.
In his letter to the editor last week about a column I wrote last
Monday, CWB chairman Larry Hill said what I had written was full of
inaccuracies. I'll concede there was one -- I had missed the appointment
by the Conservative government of five pro-free-market directors to the
board to replace the Liberals' five pro-monopoly appointees.
I shouldn't have missed it and for that I apologize.
But I reject Mr. Hill's contention that I am a free-speech hypocrite for
arguing strenuously for the right to free expression for others, but not
the board.
I didn't write the headline that accompanied my piece, "Wheat board
should remain silent." I said the wheat board should be made
voluntary. That way, whatever money it spent on lobbying for its own
existence would come only from those farmer-shareholders who agreed with
that goal, rather than also from farmers who wanted out from under the
board. What Mr. Hill and other board supporters want is the power for
the CWB to be as coercive as government.
June 6, 2008 -- A
poll conducted by a long-time Liberal insider on behalf of the Canadian
Wheat Board (CWB) confirms Western Canadian farmers overwhelmingly
support barley marketing freedom. A closer look at the CWB survey
results released today shows Western Canadian farmers’ demands for
barley marketing freedom are even stronger than CWB Chair Larry Hill
stated during his appearance at the Senate Committee on Agriculture
yesterday.
“There is no longer any doubt how strong and deep support for
barley marketing freedom now runs among Western Canadian farmers,”
said the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.
When Mr. Hill appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee he
said 57 per cent of Western Canadian farmers are demanding marketing
freedom for barley. What the CWB’s own survey actually says is that 57
per cent of Western Canadian farmers want marketing freedom for wheat.
The CWB’s survey actually shows that nearly 70 per cent of Western
Canadian farmers are demanding barley marketing freedom. In fact, Mr.
Herle specifically states in the survey that “dual marketing is the
preference among farmers for barley marketing” and “if they cannot
have a dual market, most would prefer an open market to the single
desk.”
“The results of this survey are so clear the Liberals cannot even
spin the numbers coming from their own insider to support their
ideological crusade against Western Canadian barley farmers,” said
Minister Ritz.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and this Government are working hard to
deliver barley marketing freedom and it is time for the Liberals to give
Western Canadian barley farmers the freedom they are demanding by
supporting Bill C-46.
Support Dips for Canada
Wheat Board Monopoly: Poll
June 6, 2008 -- Fewer Western Canadian farmers
support the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on wheat and barley sales
than did a year ago, according to an annual poll released by the
farmer-run agency on Friday.
For wheat, 57 percent of farmers said the CWB should keep its
government-granted monopoly on sales to millers and export markets,
while 39 percent said the market should be open.
Last year, 61 percent of farmers supported the monopoly, while 35
percent wanted it to end.
For barley, 52 percent of farmers said the market should open, with 40
percent wanting the CWB to retain its monopoly on sales to maltsters and
export markets.
Farmers were split last year, with 48 percent supporting the barley
monopoly and 46 percent wanting it to end.
"If you look at the 10-year average, the numbers haven't changed
much," Larry Hill, chairman of the CWB's board, told Reuters.
Hill said recent increases in cash grain prices have caused some
dissatisfaction with the CWB's pooled prices, which give farmers returns
based on sales made through a whole year.
But a federal government's "gag order" has restricted the CWB
from doing more to explain its prices, Hill said.
"Our opponents have been going full-blast, so that may have an
effect as well," Hill said.
The CWB and the federal government will square off over the gag order in
court on June 16.
The CWB had C$4.95 billion ($4.85 billion) in revenue last year, making
it one of the world's largest grain traders.
Its monopoly powers on sales of Western Canadian grain have long been an
irritant to international competitors. Canada's minority Conservative
government also wants to dismantle the CWB's "single desk."
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the poll supports his plans to make
the CWB optional. "There is no longer any doubt how strong and deep
support for barley marketing freedom now runs among Western Canadian
farmers," Ritz said in a release.
The CWB has said it could not compete in a dual market because it does
not own handling facilities.
In a second set of questions, when offered the additional option of a
dual market, 41 percent chose a dual market for barley, while 26 percent
preferred an open market and 27 percent supported the CWB.
For wheat, 45 percent of farmers picked the dual market, with 12 percent
wanting an open market and 42 percent the CWB.
The government said the question shows a combined total of 67 percent of
farmers want "marketing freedom" for barley and 57 percent for
wheat.
But Hill rejected combining the results, and said he believes farmers
want the CWB to find more flexible pricing options while keeping the
clout of the monopoly.
"This poll says, 'Keep looking,"' said Hill, a farmer from
Swift Current, Saskatchewan. "What this poll doesn't say is, 'Get
rid of the single desk."'
The survey of 1,300 farmers was done in early March.
Farmers showed strong support for a new malting barley program designed
to track cash markets, Hill said. The program has been rejected by most
maltsters and grain companies.
Most also said farmers should decide the CWB's future, not the federal
government.
Minister Ritz
Introduces Proposed Amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board Act
May 27, 2008 –- The Government of Canada is
introducing amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board Act to make sure that
board members are elected only by Western Canadian farmers who are
commercially producing grain. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board,
introduced Bill C-57 in the House of Commons today.
“You earn the right to call yourself a farmer by growing crops, not by
filing paperwork,” said Minister Ritz. “This Government is making
sure the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) listens to real farmers by
introducing this legislation to give farmers a stronger voice in
director elections.”
The current legislation allows any producer to vote in director
elections. Many producers who are named in a permit book have retired,
rented out their land, or only grow small amounts of grain as a hobby.
This legislation will ensure voters in CWB director elections are
genuine farmers who have produced at least 120 tonnes of grain in either
of the two crop years preceding the election. The Government of Canada
intends to have these eligibility requirements in place for the director
elections in the fall of 2008.
“The CWB must be responsive to farmers and this Government’s
legislation delivers that accountability,” said Minister Ritz.
What
the CWB is Doing for YOU!!
Based on a 1500 acre farm in the Killarney area
Canadian Farmer price under CWB
marketing
Prices as of Jan. 9/08
Crop
Yield
Total Bushels
x CWB Pro
Total
500 ac Canola
30
15,000
$11.00
$165,000
300 ac Winter Wheat
60
18,000
$6.83
$122,940
400 ac Red Spring
38
15,200
$7.51
$114,152
300 ac Barley Malt
70
21,000
$4.07
$85,470
Gross Income
$487,562
**Possibility of
getting LESS than CWB Pro is likely.
Canadian Farmer price without CWB
marketing
Prices as of Jan. 9/08
Crop
Yield
Total Bushels
x CWB Pro
Total
500 ac Canola
30
15,000
$11.00
$165,000
300 ac Winter Wheat
60
18,000
$9.73
$175,140
400 ac Red Spring
38
15,200
$10.23
$155,496
300 ac Barley Malt
70
21,000
$6.00
$126,000
Gross Income
$621,636
**CANOLA price is
the same on both sides of the border without CWB control
US price is based on
BTR Farmer's Elevator, ND and Bottineau Elevator, ND. These are
all within a 90 mile radius of Killarney. There are no US
subsidies included in these prices. Grain prices as of January 9,
2008.
Loss
of income with CWB marketing: $134,074
"Thank you,
CWB, for what YOU think is a "great" job of marketing our
grain." - A Canadian Farmer
China has slightly over one-fifth of the world population, and with a
rapidly growing middle class, it is a major economic driver in the
global market. China is now the world's largest producer and
consumer of agri-food products. Its emergence as a key competitor
in some markets, and as a market destination in others, is of
considerable interest to the Canadian agri-food sector. This
issue of the Bi-weekly Bulletin examines some key elements of
China's agricultural sector and looks at the prospects of increased
trade between Canada and China.
April 22, 2008 -– Ken Ritter, former chairman
of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), responded to Art Mainil (an
honourable farmer who has fought for farmers' freedom for years) over
the issue of farmers freedom and the CWB ("Farmers do better with
CWB", Leader-Post Letters, Mar 27.
In his letter, Ritter tactfully avoided the question of freedom.
Instead, he referenced the fact that Quebec voted for a CWB single-desk
marking system for wheat to support his argument to keep the CWB.
In this fact lies the essence of freedom. The Quebec farmers voted.
The collective system in Quebec for marketing milling wheat is
accountable to farmers and only to farmers.
Instituted in 2003 by a vote, it can be terminated by farmers by
simple majority of 51 per cent.
Despite only 38 per cent of farmers in Western Canada supporting the
retention of the CWB monopoly in the most recent plebiscite, we have not
achieved change. Why? Because the CWB is not accountable to farmers
(despite Ritter's rhetoric claiming falsely it is).
The CWB is, always has been, and remains accountable to the
government of Canada, which is why MPs are now voting on the change that
farmers already supported in the plebescite held last year. If we had
the same system as Quebec, the CWB would be gone, long gone.
Western farmers have been under the War Measures Act, which
instituted the monopoly system in 1943 by the Parliament of Canada. And
despite farmers going to jail and being branded as criminals by the very
country that imprisoned them in the 1990, and a vote that clearly stated
we were done with the institution and the attempts of the federal
Conservative government to let freedom reign, we cannot attain freedom
to chose, which is all we've been seeking -- for years.
The CWB is a violation of the freedom of western farmers, who want to
chose how they sell the wheat and barley the produce on their farms.
And, yes, in Ontario they can chose. And in Quebec, they can vote.
For western farmers, the Parliament of Canada will decide how just
that is.
The CWB monopoly discriminated against western farmers' rights and
freedoms.
Yes, the CWB is only in Western Canada and, yes, farmers in the rest
of Canada are treated very differently.
To think that my uncles died for freedom in the same war that took
away farmers' rights.
Farmers for
Justice calls Canadian Wheat Board “Un-Canadian”
“The root of the issues for the Western
Canadian farmers lies in democratic freedom; freedom that men have
fought and died for.What
is happening these days is very un-Canadian.”
April 2, 2008 -– As Ian White, new CEO of the
CWB settles into his first week behind his desk, Farmers for Justice is
hopeful his ear is attuned to “more than the same tired voices we’ve
heard repeatedly,” says FFJ spokesperson Colleen Bianchi.
And they have reason to be hopeful.White’s extensive agriculture background includes senior and
high level executive positions with a variety of Australian agribusiness
companies.Australia
maintains a transparent and accountable wheat board with marketing
choice.
“This is not about money,” Bianchi said.“It’s about fundamental rights.Western Canadian farmers are being denied the same rights as
Quebec and Ontario farmers have enjoyed for years.This is about democratic freedom – having marketing choice, and
eliminating discrimination.Any
less than that is simply un-Canadian.”
Parliament is voting on Bill C-46, a bill which
will amend the CWB Act.There
have been calls for a plebiscite on this Bill, but FFJ disagrees.
“A plebiscite is costly, and a recent
plebiscite has already showed very clearly that only 38% of western
farmers supported retention of the CWB monopoly,” continued Bianchi.“What we are expecting is no different than what is already
granted to the rest of the country: No Cost Export Licenses.”
“It is our hope that the decision of Ian
White, the CWB Board of Directors, and the Canadian Parliament will
accurately reflect the wishes and desires of Western farmers.We want choice.We want fairness.We
want freedom.And we need
to hear we have those rights by the August 1 new crop year.”
Programs
Under the Agricultural Policy Framework are Continuing for Quebec
Producers
April
1, 2008 -- The
Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and
Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Honourable Laurent
Lessard, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, today announced
the continuation of programs under the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).
The ministers stated that the continuation of APF programs is necessary
to allow programs to be developed under Growing Forward.
“Growing
Forward is delivering real results for Canadian agriculture and this
Government is working with the provinces and territories to give farm
families stability while we develop important new initiatives,” said
Minister Ritz. “Providing this stability while delivering progress on
Growing Forward is another example of this Government’s commitment to
put farmers first.”
“Continuing
programs will allow for a smooth transition to Growing Forward, thereby
addressing the concerns raised by all stakeholders in the sector, and
will ensure the continuity of the efforts and initiatives undertaken by
our farmers and our partners,” added Minister Lessard.
The
continuation of programs under APF will allow Growing Forward programs
to be developed with the needs of the sector in mind. “This gives us
the time we need to ensure farmers have the voice they deserve in
program design,” said Minister Ritz.
April
1, 2008 -- The
federal and provincial governments are working to deliver new programs
for Ontario farmers through the Growing
Forward initiative, but while that progress continues,
existing programs under the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) will be
extended for up to one year, starting April 1, 2008.
The
Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and
Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Honourable Leona
Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs,
today announced details about the continuation of programs under the APF.
“Growing
Forward is delivering real results for Canadian agriculture
and this Government is working with the provinces and territories to
give farm families stability while we develop important new
initiatives,” said Minister Ritz. “Providing this stability while
delivering progress on Growing
Forward is another example of this Government’s commitment
to put farmers first.”
“Ontario
producers need ongoing access to programs that can help them achieve a
prosperous and profitable future,” said Minister Dombrowsky.
“Managing the smooth transition from APF to Growing
Forward will provide certainty for our farmers and all our
partners.”
Consultations
will continue so that Growing
Forward programs are developed with the needs of the sector
in mind. “This gives us the time we need to ensure farmers have the
voice they deserve in program design,” said Minister Ritz.
March 29, 2008 -- The farmer run Canadian Wheat
Board has elected Larry Hill as its new chairman after Ken Ritter, who
had led the marketing agency since 1999, stepped down this week.
"I know that it's not going to be an easy job, but it's an
important thing that the CWB function in the best interest of
producers," Hill said in an interview on Friday.
The wheat board, which had $4.95 billion in revenue last year, has
been locked in a struggle with the federal government, which wants to
end its monopoly on sales of Prairie wheat and barley to millers,
malsters and export markets.
Hill, a farmer from Swift Current, SK, is a strong monopoly supporter
and has been on the wheat board's board of directors since 1999.
Ritter, who farms at Kindersley, SK, became the first chairman when
the governance of the 72-year-old wheat board was overhauled to give
farmers more control over the agency, one of the world's largest grain
marketers. Farmers elect 10 directors to the board. The
government appoints five, including the CEO. A narrow majority of
elected, pro-monopoly directors now controls the board.
Ritter's term as a director is set to expire this year. He said
he stepped down so a new chairman could begin at the same time as the
agency's new chief executive, Ian White, who takes the helm on Monday.
"it's a new beginning, a very fundamental change for the
organization, and this is a s good a time as any to make that exchange"
a the board of directors, Ritter told Reuters.
Before he joined the board, Ritter had advocated for a "dual
market," where the wheat board would compete for farmers' grain
with other buyers. But he changed his mind after joining the board,
and became a staunch monopoly supporter, leading the fight against the
Conservative government's push to change the agency's mandate.
Ritter said he is optimistic about the wheat board's future if
farmers are allowed to continue to control it.
"If it's left in the hands of farmers, I think the board has a
bright future. If it's left in the hands of government, who know s
- they have to answer that question," he said.
March 26, 2008 -- Canadian railways are reaping
unreasonable profits, farm groups said yesterday, releasing a study they
said should nudge the federal government to investigate what it costs
rail carriers to ship grain.
Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway get a 50%
return on the variable costs, according to estimates by rain analyst
John Edsforth.
That's more than double what they were allowed to earn before rail
laws were overhauled in 2000, and twice what they would earn if there
was more competition, Edsforth said in a study commissioned by the
Canadian Wheat Board.
Farm groups said railways make at least $100 million a year in
excessive profits, or about $9,000 from an average farmer's annual
$50,000 freight bill.
"We're paying an extra $9,000 (per farm) that currently has been
going toward CN and CP shareholders," Manitoba farmer Ian Wishart
said at an elevator northwest of Winnipeg where tractor-trailers
unloaded wheat and canola.
A spokesman for Canadian National, the country's largest railway,
which has complained it was being hurt financially by "creeping
re-regulation" of its grain transportation business, dismissed the
complaints.
What
the CWB is Doing for YOU!!
Based on a 1500 acre farm in the Killarney area
Canadian Farmer price under CWB
marketing
Prices as of Jan. 9/08
Crop
Yield
Total Bushels
x CWB Pro
Total
500 ac Canola
30
15,000
$11.00
$165,000
300 ac Winter Wheat
60
18,000
$6.83
$122,940
400 ac Red Spring
38
15,200
$7.51
$114,152
300 ac Barley Malt
70
21,000
$4.07
$85,470
Gross Income
$487,562
**Possibility of
getting LESS than CWB Pro is likely.
Canadian Farmer price without CWB
marketing
Prices as of Jan. 9/08
Crop
Yield
Total Bushels
x CWB Pro
Total
500 ac Canola
30
15,000
$11.00
$165,000
300 ac Winter Wheat
60
18,000
$9.73
$175,140
400 ac Red Spring
38
15,200
$10.23
$155,496
300 ac Barley Malt
70
21,000
$6.00
$126,000
Gross Income
$621,636
**CANOLA price is
the same on both sides of the border without CWB control
US price is based on
BTR Farmer's Elevator, ND and Bottineau Elevator, ND. These are
all within a 90 mile radius of Killarney. There are no US
subsidies included in these prices. Grain prices as of January 9,
2008.
Loss
of income with CWB marketing: $134,074
"Thank you,
CWB, for what YOU think is a "great" job of marketing our
grain." - A Canadian Farmer
I want to personally thank you for your support of this government's
commitment to bring marketing freedom to western Canadian grain
producers.
I have been working hard, alongside Prime Minister Stephen Harper and
my Conservative colleagues, to make that commitment a reality. I
am very pleased to inform you that I have introduced legislation in the
House of Commons that will allow western barley producers the freedom to
market their grain outside of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly.
Producers across the Prairies have been calling for choice, and we
are listening. We are, however, in an uphill battle against an
Opposition that would prefer to see western Canadian farmers shackled to
the monopoly rather than making their own marketing choices.
Today, I am calling on you to make your voice heard and let the
Opposition know that you will not stand by while they continue to
obstruct your freedom.
We are at a critical crossroads. In a time when world grain
prices are skyrocketing, it is a shame to watch wheat and barley
producers turn to crops outside the hold of the monopoly when they could
be taking advantage of a thriving wheat and barley market.
Together, we have a mandate to enact choice for grain
producers. Now is the time to make your voice heard.
It is our goal to bring marketing freedom to the Prairies for barley
producers by August 1, 2008. To do this, the Opposition needs to
hear from you today. Call the Liberal, Bloc and NDP members of
Parliament and let them know that you deserve and demand the freedom the
rest of Canadian producers take for granted.
Again, thank you for your hard work in helping us bring marketing
freedom to Western Canada.
Sincerely,
Gerry Ritz, PC, MP
Make your voice heard to these
people:
The Honourable Stephane Dion
Leader of the Official Opposition
Phone (Legislature): 613-996-5789
Fax (Legislature): 613-996-6562
750 Marcel-Laurin Blvd, Suite 440
Saint-Laurent, QB H4M 2M4
Phone (Constituency): 514-335-6655
Fax (Constituency): 514-335-2712
Email: dions@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Liberal Party House Leader
Phone (Legislature): 613-947-1153
Fax (Legislature): 613-996-9790
310 University Park Drive
Regina, SK S4V 0Y8
Phone (Constituency): 306-585-2202
Fax (Constituency): 306-585-2280
Email: goodale.r@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Jack Layton Leader of the New Democratic Party
Phone (Legislature): 613-995-7224
Fax (Legislature): 613-995-4565
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 100
Toronto, ON M4M 2G3
Phone (Constituency): 416-405-8914
Fax (Constituency): 416-405-8918
Email: layton.j@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Gilles Duceppe Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Phone (Legislature): 613-992-6779
Fax (Legislature): 613-954-2121
1200 Papineau Avenue, Suite 350
Montreal, QB H2K 4R5
Phone (Constituency): 514-522-1339
Fax (Constituency): 514-522-9899
Email: duceppe.g@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Wayne Easter Liberal Party Agriculture Critic
Phone (Legislature): 613-992-2406
Fax (Legislature): 613-995-7408
Box 70
Hunter River, PEI C0A 1N0
Phone (Constituency): 902-964-2428
Fax (Constituency): 902-964-3242
Email: easter.w@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Pat Martin NDP Canadian Wheat Board Critic
Phone (Legislature): 613-992-5308
Fax (Legislature): 613-992-2890
892 Sargent Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0C7
Phone (Constituency): 204-984-1675
Fax (Constituency): 204-984-1676
Email: martin.pat@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Alex Atamanenko NDP Agriculture Critic
Phone (Legislature): 613-996-8036
Fax (Legislature): 613-943-0922
337 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC V1N 1G6
Phone (Constituency): 250-365-2792
Fax (Constituency): 250-365-2793
Email: atamanenko.a@parl.gc.ca
ABA Band of Bakers Urge Congress, Administration to Address
Wheat Crisis: Efforts to “Save Our Wheat” Continue
March 14, 2008 -- Bakers
from across the country came together to send a loud and clear message
to Congress and the Bush Administration that immediate action needs to
be taken to alleviate the commodity crisis," said Robb MacKie,
President & CEO of the American Bakers Association (ABA). “The
wheat supply is at historically low levels, commodity prices are at an
all time high, the dollar is down and the consumer is just starting to
feel the impact. ABA and its members have been warning government
officials about the pending crisis for the past year; any further delay
could have extremely serious consequences,” added Mr. MacKie.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, the ABA was joined by other industry
organizations in Washington, D.C., for a “Band of Bakers &
Allied Forces March.” This united effort was designed to alert
Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Bush
Administration to the severity of the crisis and the potentially dire
impact on the industry and consumers. To kick off the day, ABA and its
allies held a press conference at the National Press Club.
Over 80 bakers, representing businesses of all different sizes,
visited with more than 45 members of Congress, the Secretary of
Agriculture and his senior staff, and key White House policy officials
to urge immediate action on ABA’s Three Point Plan, including:
Early release of non-environmentally sensitive CRP acreage;
Elimination of the ethanol import tariff and temporary waiving of
ethanol production limits; and
A USDA review of wheat export policies in light of the new market
dynamics.
Bakers are hard pressed to manage the extreme volatility of flour
prices. “Last year I was paying about $14 for a hundred-pound bag
of flour – last week I was quoted $57 for that same bag of flour,”
commented Len Amoroso, ABA member and Executive Vice President of
Amoroso Baking in Philadelphia, Pa. “This means that I will have
to spend $13 to $15 million more this year just on flour…bakers
can’t keep up with these increases - we will be forced to make cuts or
go under.”
Reuben Gist, Director of Advocacy, Capital Area Food Bank, spoke at
the press conference about what this means to consumers. “A loaf of
bread now costs the same as a gallon of gas. People are having to make
hard decisions on the basics, including transportation, health care,
childcare and housing.
The result is that more of the working poor are turning to food
banks, such as ours, for their basic food needs.”
Bakers and other wheat users are also very concerned over the
historically low stocks, with the industry currently operating with
less than a one-month supply. “ABA is asking USDA to review export
policies in light of these historically low domestic wheat stocks,”
said Mr. MacKie. “While we are not calling for an export moratorium,
USDA has a responsibility to review its policies in light of the new
commodity paradigm.”
“While there is no ‘silver bullet’ fix for the current
commodity crisis, ABA strongly believes that steps can be taken to
help stabilize commodity markets, give wheat users increased confidence
about supply availability, and importantly, provide some relief for
consumer concerns about escalating food prices,” commented David
Brown, ABA Commodity Task Force Chairman and Vice President of
Procurement for Sara Lee Corporation.
ABA was joined by a number of industry groups in its Band of Bakers
and Allied Forces March on Washington, D.C. Members of the
Independent Bakers Association, Retail Bakers of America, Snack Food
Association and BEMA lent their voices to this critically-important
effort. “We recognize that the drastic increase in commodity prices
not only affects our baker members, but all commodity users. We greatly
appreciate these allied groups’ support and participation in today’s
meetings,” said Mr. MacKie.
“While the March was a success, I cannot stress enough the importance
of our continued efforts to put pressure on policymakers in
Washington to act now,” said ABA Chairman Ron Turano, President,
Turano Baking Company. “All bakers should continue making calls,
writing letters and visiting their members of Congress, to support the
ABA Three Point Plan.”
Farmers For Justice is requesting free, no Buy Back export permits
for all grains and grades of grains (wheat & barley) by any person
or company that requests one, in Western Canada. This request is to the
Government Of Canada. A written response will be expected no later than
March 17, 2008 @ 5:00 pm MST.
If a favorable response is not received by the time given, the
appropriate action will follow.
Your response will posted on this website as this request has
been.
c.c. Minister Ritz
This letter was delivered via email on Monday,
March 10, 2008.
Farmers for Justice
urges producers who are not happy with the monopoly:
Write letters and emails to the MP's
and the Ministers -- including the Liberal and NDP Member's of
Parliament
Hold your grain back from the CWB until the very end
Do not sign up right away for the different contracts until the
last day
Marketing
Choice Meetings
Over 300 farmers, representing three provinces,
gathered in Weyburn on March 6, 2008. The movie "Against The
Grain" ran first and the room was in silence during the whole time.
Farmers were then given the opportunity to speak and
gave their opinions as to what action should be next. Most were
concerned whether the Government Barley Bill will happen before the new
crop year.
There was discussion on what the next step for farmers
should be. The meeting went "in-camera" so the media
then left. There were some conclusions made and the plan has
already been started.
Barley Group Calls Rally Friday for
Reform
Farm groups are turning their attention from the courts back to the
Commons on the issue of Prairie barley marketing.
In news releases Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, the Friends of
the Canadian Wheat Board and Western Barley Growers Association reacted
briefly to Tuesday's court ruling against the federal government's plans
to deregulate barley marketing by order-in-council, and focused on
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's plan to attempt the same outcome by
legislation.
WBGA president Jeff Nielsen of Olds, Alta., urged the minority
Conservative government to introduce legislative reforms
"immediately" and urged Prairie barley growers to show support
for reform by rallying Friday (Feb. 29) at the steps of the Saskatchewan
Legislature in Regina at 12:30 p.m.
"Going to legislative reforms, and introducing them as soon as
possible, is a priority, as we need to see these changes done in time
for the new crop year Aug. 1," WBGA vice-president Tom Hewson of
Langbank, Sask., said in the same release.
"We need the support of the opposition parties to acknowledge
the fact that without the ability to see dramatic growth in barley now,
we do risk serious economic harm to all of Canada."
Ritz recently said he would introduce such legislation by the end of
this month. However, he added, the CWB "has sufficiently stalled
things long enough" and will "survive" until after the
next federal election when, he predicted, the Conservatives come back
with a majority. Then, he said, "all bets are off."
Survival for a Conservative bill to remove barley from the CWB's
marketing jurisdiction is seen as unlikely at best in the current
minority Commons. Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale told reporter
Allan Dawson in Thursday's Manitoba Co-operator that the party couldn't
support any bill that essentially calls for "evisceration" of
the CWB or violation of farmers' control of the board.
The NDP also opposes such legislation and the Bloc Quebecois, which
backs supply management in other farm commodities, has also expressed
opposition.
Removing Prairie barley from the CWB's single marketing desk would
allow it to become a "crop of choice," rather than one of last
resort and low return -- and more barley production would in turn
encourage value-added development, Nielsen said.
"Without growth in the Canadian barley sector, we will see
economic losses to those value-added sectors that rely on what once was
our supply of top-quality barley for their needs, namely our maltsters
and brewers; and, without a constant quality supply of feed barley,
shackle our already struggling livestock feeding sector," he said.
"Back in Court"
Meanwhile, the Friends of the CWB -- the group that first launched the
Federal Court challenge of the federal government's June 2007
order-in-council for an open barley market, leading to Ottawa's
unsuccessful appeal Tuesday -- warned Ritz in a separate release that an
attempt to legislate Prairie barley deregulation would wind up
"back in court."
The group said any legislative amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board
Act would first require consultation with the CWB's board of directors
and a producer vote in favour of excluding barley from the CWB's single
desk.
The Friends group, spearheaded by National Farmers Union president
Stewart Wells and former CWB director Wilf Harder, said Tuesday that it
advised Ritz "not to waste any more farmers' or taxpayers' money on
flawed plebiscites, misleading ad campaigns or ill-advised court
appeals."
Barley
Marketing Uncertainty Continues
February 27, 2008 -- Members
of the Western Barley Growers Association are greatly disappointed that
yesterday in Winnipeg the Court of Appeal denied overturning last
summer's lower court ruling which rejected barley freedom on August
1. WBGA members also saw the Court of Appeal deny its intervention
arguments on a constitutional challenge of the CWB Act. WBGA would
like to thank the ten barley producers that allowed their names to stand
in our efforts for intervention.
"Today's ruling does nothing to
promote and grow barley production in western Canada," says Jeff
Nielsen, President WBGA. "Our Canadian malting industry is in
a serious position. It cannot attract barley acres to fulfill its
needs unless they are able to show true market signals and price transparency.
Without removing barley from the CWB's monopoly completely, we will see
fewer acres seeded to barley, and less malt barley production. I
call upon Canadian Agriculture Minister Ritz, and our Government of
Canada to introduce legislative reforms immediately."
"Removing barley through
legislation now, will allow barley itself to be a crop of choice,
providing solid net returns to producers; not one seeded as a commodity
of last resort and low return. This will allow more growth in malt
production Canada, growth in jobs in Canada, and growth in barley
research and development in Canada. This growth in barley, once it
is completely removed from the CWB Act, will be a catalyst towards
building strong economic returns right from the producer in western
Canada to the brewery worker in Montreal. Without growth in the
Canadian barley sector, we will see economic losses to those value added
sectors that rely on, what once was our supply of top quality barley for
their needs, namely our maltsters and brewers; and without a constant
quality supply of feed barley, shackle our already struggling livestock
feeding sector. Saying that, I encourage those that have fought
hard against barley freedom, to work with us now in promoting the
necessary legislative reforms," concludes Nielsen.
"Going to legislative reforms,
and introducing them as soon as possible, is a priority, as we need to
see these changes done in time for the new crop year August 1,"
states Tom Hewson, WBGA Vice President. "We need the support
of the opposition parties to acknowledge the fact that without the
ability to see dramatic growth in barley now, we do risk serious
economic harm to all of Canada."
"Barley farmers have spoken, we
want barley freedom, freedom where we can market our own barley, just as
we do our canola, pulses, flax and oats," comments Doug McBain,
WBGA Past President. "How can members of the Opposition
parties deny my personal rights to sell my own barley?"
WBGA
is calling on farmers that want marketing freedom from across western
Canada to meet at the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislature in Regina,
on Friday, February 29 at 12:30 pm. We will be hosting a rally to
show the Government of Canada the support they have for introducing the
necessary legislative reforms now.
It seems
that in Alberta we have one set of rules that govern Big Business and
another set of rules that govern the peasants that occupy the land
base of this province.
No doubt
big oil will be prepared to spend millions of $ to appeal this $20.00
ruling by the Surface Rights Board, as is testified to by
numerous decisions currently being appealed and funded by the obscene
profits being pocketed by these companies. This fact speaks
volumes about the rape and pillage that the petroleum industry
continues to force upon the rural land base of Alberta.
We have
an opportunity in the next 3 weeks to extract from the politicians, a commitment
on what they are prepared to do regarding Annual
Compensation on Pipelines. They have failed to clarify the Land
Agents Licensing Act, for three years in a row. This law now requires
us to hire only Licensed Petroleum Land Agents to assist with
negotiations. Instead this government continues to steadfastly
hide behind the court system. Maybe the time has
come for the good people of rural Alberta request them to stand up and
do what's right for once. Empty promises do not cut the Mustard!
I suggest to everyone that they read a book entitled Stupid To The
Last Drop by William Marsden. I do not really like the title because I
like to try and keep my thinking balanced but the historical accounting
is extremely interesting and as you get into chapters 5 and 6
discussions of the National Petroleum Council that advises the
US
government shows the incredible task ahead of CAPLA.
The president of Enbridge Pipelines, TransCanada Corporation and
EnCana are on this council. I guess I want people to understand the
influences we are up against and the thinking of North American
government and the effort that will be used against CAPLA as we try to
protect landowners in the future.
We need to protect our safety, our environment, our land, our farms
and our families. We are not against this industry but we need to stand
up and protect ourselves as this industry and North American governments
try to infringe their responsibilities onto our shoulders.
I guess I want to start talking about CAPLA goals in the future and
where I see our interests best directed to get our issues addressed. We
also need to understand that we are up against the biggest lobby group
in the world and the only way we can influence in the future is on 2
fronts..... we need to get all landowners and the public on side and
then secondly considering the lobby we are up against we need
substantial funds to support court actions. How are we going to do
this?????????
CAPLA will continue to participate in the
NEB
processes but with no funding for our participation in their new Land
Matters Consultation Initiative, they have basically put us in the
arena, but with our hands tied and duct tape on any real influence. We
have no choice but to go through the motions, but at the same time we
must continue to take the actions that we know work. That is organizing,
spreading the word about our issues, interventions, speaking at
meetings, using the present Board processes in ways they haven't been
used in the past, and fund raising for court and constitutional
challenges.
As farmers and landowners we have no choice but to protect our land
and to be treated fairly. It is about fair compensation, environmental
protection, our safety and protection of our rights and in particular
our right to farm.
Minister Ritz Announces
Appointment of New President and CEO of the CWB
January 30, 2008 -- The Honourable Gerry Ritz,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian
Wheat Board, today announced the appointment of Ian White as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). Mr. White
has been appointed for a three-year term starting March 31, 2008.
“I am pleased that Mr. White has accepted the appointment of
President and CEO of the CWB,” said Minister Ritz. “With the strong
support both this Government and the CWB have given Mr. White, I trust
both will give him the freedom and the tools he will require to work in
the interests of Western Canadian producers."
Mr. White’s appointment is fully supported by both the Government
of Canada and the Canadian Wheat Board.
"The CWB, in conjunction with the government, engaged in a
rigorous process and extensive search to find the best candidate for the
position, and we are confident that Mr. White, with his comprehensive
background and experience, will provide strong leadership to the
corporation," said Ken Ritter, Chair of the Search Committee and
the CWB Board of Directors.
Mr. White will provide strong leadership as the CWB faces a number of
challenging issues, including farmers’ desire for change.
A biographical note for Mr. White is attached.
Biographical Note – Ian H. White
Ian White has extensive professional experience at a senior executive
level in the agribusiness industry in Australia, Canada and the United
States.
Mr. White has an in-depth understanding of agribusiness with
wide-ranging experience in both international and domestic commodity
marketing, customer relationships, and grower relations, in both
statutory and non-statutory marketing environments in Australia, and
North America.
Mr. White has served as a senior executive at a number of
agribusiness companies in Canada, the United States and Australia,
including Queensland Cotton Limited, Defiance Mills Limited, Grainco
Limited, AgPro Grain (a subsidiary of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool) and
Elders Grain. Most recently, Mr. White has occupied the position of
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Sugar
Limited, a multi-billion dollar industry-owned marketing company.
Mr. White holds a Bachelor of Economics (with honours) from the
University of Sydney.
CWB CEO Appointment
January 24, 2008 -- The Canadian government is
expected to name Ian White, currently chief executive of Australia's
Queensland Sugar Ltd, as the new CEO of the Canadian Wheat Board, one of
the world's largest grain exporters, the Western Producer newspaper
reported in its January 24 issue.
White, described as a strong advocate for trade liberalization by the
newspaper, was chosen from three candidates by a CWB-government
committee, and accepted by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, the
newspaper said.
Ritz was expected to take the recommendation to federal cabinet soon
for formal approval, the article said.
WBGA Applauds Minister
Ritz's Plan for Producer, Industry and CWB Barley Meeting
January 17, 2008 -- "Today's call by
Minister Ritz to invite CWB Chairman Ken Ritter and CEO Greg Arason to
Ottawa to sit down and come to a resolution with barley farmers, our
industry partners and themselves is a giant step forward in this current
impasse" says Jeff Nielsen president of the Western Barley Growers
Association (WBGA).
"Clearly our government is listening to producers and the need
to move barley forward to which we make the decisions on who, what,
where and when we can sell our own barley. The CashPlus malt
barley program recently announced by the CWB did not fulfill the needs
of the producers, our malters or even our grain trade," continues
Nielsen. "We cannot wait any longer for a solution to this
refusal of the CWB to do what farmers voted for and what even their own
internal surveys have shown is needed."
Both Alberta and Saskatchewan account for 85% + of the total barley
production in western Canada and 90% of the malt barley selected.
Both Alberta and Saskatchewan governments along with the government of
British Columbia support the call for barley producers to be able to
market their barley how ever they choose.
Alberta alone has over a million acres of high quality barley that
the CWB can not attract as these producers do not have permit
books. This has frustrated not only our domestic malsters but our
grain trade