Newsroom
2000
September 7, 2000
CWB objects to continued U.S. trade harassment
Winnipeg - The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is outraged that the
Americans are launching another investigation into the Canadian
grain trading system. The North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) said
today that it will be filing a Section 301 petition against the
trading practices of the CWB.
"The U.S. seems intent on repeatedly attacking Canadian farmers,"
said Greg Arason, CWB President and CEO. "You'd think by now that
the Americans would have figured out that Canadian farmers are fair
traders."
American groups have harassed the Canadian Wheat Board with eight
investigations in the past decade. Although the rules for all
investigations are set in the U.S., each time the outcome has
established that all CWB trade activities meet North American Free
Trade Agreements (NAFTA) and international standards.
The NDWC has indicated it will challenge Canadian farmers using a
controversial piece of U.S. trade legislation called a Section 301
petition. The United States Trade Representative (an arm of the
President's office) will investigate the case and determine
damages. The Americans attempted to use the Section 301 petition
during the softwood lumber dispute but were overruled by a GATT
panel. The European Union has also challenged the legality of the
legislation.
"This is extremely frustrating and disappointing," said Arason,
adding it is no coincidence that the challenge is being filed on
the eve of an American election. "Everything we do is compliant
with international trade rules. The Americans know that, but they
just don't like the fact we are doing a good job."
The CWB is the world's largest farmer-controlled wheat and barley
marketer. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, it is one of
Canada's biggest exporters and the largest net earner of foreign
currency. Marketing Prairie-grown wheat and barley to over 70
countries around the world, the CWB returns all sales revenue, less
the costs of marketing, to farmers in Western Canada.