Canadian Alliance Wins Wheat Board Fight

(June 11, 2002 - FFJ)    "For years the Canadian Alliance has been demanding voluntary participation in the Canadian Wheat Board.  After nine years in power, the Liberal members of the Agriculture Committee have finally listened to farmers and recognized the need for change," stated David L. Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills - Grasslands and Agricultural Critic for the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).  "Prairie wheat and barley producers must be given the opportunity to increase their income through value added processing and innovative marketing.  A voluntary Wheat Board will finally put them on the same footing as farmers in other parts of the country (e.g. Ontario)."

Mr. Anderson's comments were in response to a report from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agrifood, tabled today in the House of Commons.  The report recommended the removal of the CWB monopoly to allow a free market for the sale of Canadian wheat and barley.

"All signs indicate the necessity of a voluntary CWB.  The Minister responsible for the CWB and its Directors should adopt the committee's recommendation and remove the monopoly.  Ignoring this recommendation could mean the end of the CWB.

"During the recent cross country hearings, the Committee repeatedly heard directly from farmers that the CWB is blocking their attempts to improve their farm incomes.  The CWB must recognize that to survive it must change with the times," urged Anderson.

"This report is backed by all but one member of the committee and it is supported by the majority of farmers.  All sides realize that preventing producers from marketing and processing their own grain is not the way to achieve prosperity in rural areas," concluded Anderson

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:
David L. Anderson, MP
613-995-1616