Newsroom
2002
April 3, 2002
CWB Directors hear key concerns at farmer meetings
Winnipeg - All ten of the CWB's farmer-elected directors took to the road in March for a series of accountability meetings with their neighbours and fellow farmers. Held at 41 locations throughout Western Canada, these meetings were an opportunity for farmers to ask questions, gather information and voice their concerns on a number of issues.
"We've just met with over 3,500 farmers," noted Ken Ritter, chair of the CWB's farmer-controlled Board of Directors. "This has been a tremendous opportunity for us to get feedback from farmers and to find out first-hand what is on their minds."
Several concerns were raised time and again throughout the accountability meetings:
- Widespread personal hardships resulting from ongoing shortfalls in farm income
- Elevator closings and grain company consolidation limiting farmer delivery options
- Rail transportation costs that remain high in spite of promised reductions
- On-going trade action by the U.S. and the cost that it imposes on Prairie farmers
- Potential impacts of genetically-modified wheat on markets for Prairie grain
- Activities and initiatives that the CWB can undertake to get more money into farmers' hands
"The CWB is committed to addressing these important issues," explained Ritter. "This includes bringing them to the attention of appropriate bodies like the federal and provincial governments, reporting back to farmers on the actions that we will be undertaking as well as continuing the dialogue with our stakeholders on these and other important matters."
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 grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less the costs of marketing, to Prairie farmers.
Media may contact elected directors for more information on the issues of local concern for farmers. Listed below is the contact information for each of the ten farmer-elected directors.
| District 1 |
Arthur W. Macklin |
District 2 |
James F. Chatenay |
|
District 3 |
Larry W. Hill |
District 4 |
Ken Ritter, Chair |
|
District 5 |
John M. Clair |
District 6 |
Ian L. McCreary |
|
District 7 |
Micheal G.W. Halyk |
District 8 |
Rod Flaman |
|
District 9 |
William A. Nicholson |
District 10 |
Wilfred A. Harder |