Life in CWB Paradise Continues
(November 19, 2003 - FFJ) The Canadian
Wheat Board met with industry organizations last week. Just as with
the Canadian Millers, these meetings are like the jails having a
"Customer Appreciation" for the prisoners inside the walls.
The membership numbers of these organizations voicing the farmers need
and wants are not a factor. For example, the Alberta Wild Rose
claims to be a voice for Alberta - even the only general produce
voice. But their membership numbers don't back that claim up.
The money spent for two days, with all the CWB directors meeting with
each group separately, is in the budget, which comes from the Pool
accounts.
Maybe these meetings are needed to stay "in touch" with the
farmers, but couldn't these two day meetings be combined and done all in
one day?
We're sure that each group comes and pays their own expenses, and feels
no financial tie to the CWB, and appreciate these one on one yearly
meetings.
These industry organizations are needed with the Alberta government is
talking about Bill 207, the Alberta Open Marketing Test, and released the
Albert surveys of producers who want choice.
The Alberta government knows how needed grain value added business
opportunities are needed, especially with the US wheat tariff, and the ITC
decision which may be 5 years from now. |
