Newsroom
2002
June 21, 2002
CWB directors respond to federal funding announcement
Winnipeg - At its June board meeting yesterday, the CWB's board of directors backed the funding package announced by Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food.
"It's a positive move," said Ken Ritter, Chair of the farmer-controlled board. "Farmers have certainly suffered, not only from extensive drought conditions but also from an onslaught of subsidies from the United States and European Union." Ritter noted that based on the government's own research, Canadian grains and oilseed producers have suffered injury caused by unfair trading practices of $1.3 billion annually.
"As the marketer of Prairie-grown wheat and barley, we remain concerned that the U.S. Farm Bill will continue to distort markets for producers of these grains, and other crops such as pulse and special crops, for at least the next six years."
The CWB's analysis of the funding package shows that roughly $2.7 billion of the $5.2 billion announced yesterday is 'new' money, and is comprised of the funding designated for the Agriculture Policy Framework ($180 million per year for five years plus a one-time amount of $589 million spread over five years) and 'bridge funding' ($600 million in both 2003 and 2004). The safety net funding ($500 million per year for five years) is currently received by farmers as ad hoc funding. This amount is now guaranteed for the next five years.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Louise
Waldman
Manager, Media Relations
Telephone: 204-983-3101
Cell: 204-227-0623