Wheat Board Watches WTO Decision on U.S. Complaint
(February 10, 2004 - CBC) The
World Trade Organization is expected to release its ruling on the
legitimacy of a state grain trading system Tuesday. The Canadian Wheat
Board's (CWB) future lies in the balance.
American farmers have never liked the Canadian Wheat Board because of its
export monopoly and its relationship with the Canadian government.
BACKGROUNDER: Canadian
Wheat Board (opens a new browser window)
So nobody was very surprised when U.S. trade representative Robert Zellick
took that fight to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Zellick argues that state trading enterprises like the wheat board
violate WTO rules and he is accusing Canada of unfair national treatment
of U.S. grain. He says Canadian farmers enjoy an unfair advantage because
of the revenue caps on the railways.
But wheat board representatives feel confident about what the WTO will
rule.
"We feel very confident that the ruling will not go against the
Canadian Wheat Board, but we are also realistic," says CWB chair Ken
Ritter.
Ritter doesn't understand the American opposition to the Canadian Wheat
Board, saying the United States should be working with Canada as allies,
rather than enemies.
"We are dealing with other large production regions and for us to
be battling against each other on, you know, all issues around grain seems
pointless to me," Ritter argues.
No matter what the decision is, American politicians are already vowing
to continue the fight until the rules are swayed in their favour. |
