Canadian Alliance Win One for Agri
Producers
(June 11, 2002 - Lethbridge) Lethbridge Member of Parliament Rick
Casson is applauding a call by the House of Commons Standing Committee
on Agriculture and Agrifood for a voluntary Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
The committee report, tabled in the House of
Commons today, addressed the future role of government in agriculture
through 32 recommendations for change, including the CWB clause that
states:
Whereas additional on-farm activities and
local value added processing are an excellent way to give farmers more
influence in prices, the Committee recommends that the board of
directors of the Canadian Wheat Board authorize, on a trail basis, a
free market for the sale of what and barley, and that it report to
this Committee on the subject.
"Canadian Alliance has always recognized that
preventing producers from marketing and processing their own grain is
not the way to achieve prosperity in rural areas," he stated.
"This recommendation is a significant policy shift and a major
victory for us."
He continued to say, "The report, prepared by
an all-party committee following extensive cross-Canada consultations
shows farmers have finally been heard by the Liberal members of the
agricultural committee, who obviously recognize the need for
change."
Therefore, Casson and other MPs were confused by a
statement made by Ralph Goodale, the Minister in Charge of the CWB, in
response to a question present by CA leader Stephen Harper as to when
producers could expect the recommendation to be implemented.
"Goodale's reply that he would need further consultation with
farmers is ludicrous and a poor attempt to drag this issue out," he
commented.
Casson advised for years many farmers have
repeatedly stated that the CWB has blocked their attempts to improve
their farm incomes. "This recommendation proves the CWB must
change with the times if it is to survive."
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For more information, please contact:
Rick Casson, MP
613-996-0633 |
