Newsroom
2005
CWB defends farmer advocacy against MP's attack
November 22, 2005
Winnipeg -- The chair of the CWB board of directors today staunchly defended the organization's advocacy efforts on behalf of farmers against criticism from MP David Anderson.
"As long as farmers' right to determine their own marketing system is threatened, the CWB will advocate aggressively on their behalf," said Ken Ritter, referring to steps taken to engage external expertise in tackling serious issues related to grain marketing.
"It is extremely important, during this crucial time, to present Prairie farmers' case as clearly and strongly as possible to government - regardless of its political stripe."
Ritter, a farmer from Kindersley, Saskatchewan, said the income crisis affecting farmers is dire and will be exacerbated if government guarantees on initial payments and borrowing are traded away during World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. A more lethal blow to farm income would result if farmers' single-desk marketing power is compromised.
"These are pocketbook issues. The single desk alone is worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year for farmers," Ritter added. "If we need to engage external counsel to assist us in taking important messages to key decision makers in Ottawa, we will.
"Of course, we would prefer to not have these threats and therefore not have to dedicate resources to their resolution. But we will continue to do the work that farmers expect us to do and will be frugal in our approach."
The CWB's advocacy activities are directly related to the marketing of wheat, durum wheat and barley and include such issues as trade, transportation and the potential introduction of genetically modified cereals.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
For more information, please contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry
Media Relations Manager
Tel: (204) 983-3101
Cell: (204) 479-2451