Some more political chess moves.
Prairie farmers welcome BC, AB, and SK governments support for marketing change at the CWB
REGINA, July 8, 2011 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes the Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia government's support for marketing change at the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
Today, the Agriculture Ministers from the three Western provinces welcomed the Government of Canada's plan to give producers marketing choice for wheat, durum and barley. Ministers committed their support for marketing choice at the Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting, where ministers gathered to discuss how to better work together to help farmers grow the agriculture industry and continue to drive the Canadian economy.
Earlier this spring, CFIB released its Prairie farm members' views on the CWB in a research report, Time for a New Vision at the CWB. "It is evident growers need more consistent, timely, accessible and transparent marketing signals in order to make the best possible marketing decisions for their own farm," said Virginia Labbie, CFIB's senior policy analyst for Agri-business. "Farmers who want the opportunity to market their own wheat and barley are obviously hobbled by the current single desk system."
"The message from farmers is that the CWB is not currently meeting producers' evolving needs," added Labbie. "In fact, 83 per cent of CFIB's farm members in Western Canada said they want the option to market their wheat and barley outside of the CWB. A Prairie farmer said it best, "It is time the Canadian Wheat Board lets us farmers choose who and how we want our own grain sold."
"Let's be clear - our farm members have never advocated for the complete dismantling of the CWB. In fact, 59 per cent say it is very or somewhat important for the CWB to remain a marketing option if marketing alternatives to the CWB are introduced," stated Labbie.
When asked what the main benefits would be to their farm business if they were given the option to sell their wheat and barley in the open market, CFIB farm members indicated they would have access to better marketing signals, greater opportunities to niche market their product, greater control of the profitability of their farm business, and growth in the value-added industry.
As Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture Ministers conclude their discussions this week on Growing Forward 2 (GF2), CFIB is calling on all governments to ensure GF2 drives productivity and innovation in the agricultural sector. "Some of the key themes of Growing Forward 2 are centered around competitiveness, market growth and innovation," noted Labbie. "If we are serious about driving innovation in the farm sector, it is time to let farmers market their own wheat and barley just as they do with their pulses and oilseeds."
"We're pleased the Federal government is delivering on its important commitment to bring marketing change to Western Canadian farmers," concluded Labbie. "We are disappointed with the government of Manitoba's desire to maintain the status quo at the CWB. It is time to move on."
CFIB is the business voice for agriculture, representing 7,200 independently owned and operated agri-businesses in Canada (2,500 in Western Canada), the majority of which are primary producers.
Prairie farmers welcome BC, AB, and SK governments support for marketing change at the CWB
REGINA, July 8, 2011 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes the Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia government's support for marketing change at the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
Today, the Agriculture Ministers from the three Western provinces welcomed the Government of Canada's plan to give producers marketing choice for wheat, durum and barley. Ministers committed their support for marketing choice at the Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting, where ministers gathered to discuss how to better work together to help farmers grow the agriculture industry and continue to drive the Canadian economy.
Earlier this spring, CFIB released its Prairie farm members' views on the CWB in a research report, Time for a New Vision at the CWB. "It is evident growers need more consistent, timely, accessible and transparent marketing signals in order to make the best possible marketing decisions for their own farm," said Virginia Labbie, CFIB's senior policy analyst for Agri-business. "Farmers who want the opportunity to market their own wheat and barley are obviously hobbled by the current single desk system."
"The message from farmers is that the CWB is not currently meeting producers' evolving needs," added Labbie. "In fact, 83 per cent of CFIB's farm members in Western Canada said they want the option to market their wheat and barley outside of the CWB. A Prairie farmer said it best, "It is time the Canadian Wheat Board lets us farmers choose who and how we want our own grain sold."
"Let's be clear - our farm members have never advocated for the complete dismantling of the CWB. In fact, 59 per cent say it is very or somewhat important for the CWB to remain a marketing option if marketing alternatives to the CWB are introduced," stated Labbie.
When asked what the main benefits would be to their farm business if they were given the option to sell their wheat and barley in the open market, CFIB farm members indicated they would have access to better marketing signals, greater opportunities to niche market their product, greater control of the profitability of their farm business, and growth in the value-added industry.
As Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture Ministers conclude their discussions this week on Growing Forward 2 (GF2), CFIB is calling on all governments to ensure GF2 drives productivity and innovation in the agricultural sector. "Some of the key themes of Growing Forward 2 are centered around competitiveness, market growth and innovation," noted Labbie. "If we are serious about driving innovation in the farm sector, it is time to let farmers market their own wheat and barley just as they do with their pulses and oilseeds."
"We're pleased the Federal government is delivering on its important commitment to bring marketing change to Western Canadian farmers," concluded Labbie. "We are disappointed with the government of Manitoba's desire to maintain the status quo at the CWB. It is time to move on."
CFIB is the business voice for agriculture, representing 7,200 independently owned and operated agri-businesses in Canada (2,500 in Western Canada), the majority of which are primary producers.
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