EDMONTON – About 10 members of the Western Barley Growers Association came to the legislature April 19 to show their support for the Wheat and Barley Test Marketing Act.
While MLA Mark Hlady’s private member’s bill wasn’t discussed that day, the farmers wanted to make a point before spring seeding began.
“We wanted to show our support for Mark Hlady and his private member’s bill,” said association president Doug McBain of Cremona.
Despite the small number of farmers who sat in the legislative gallery and then chatted on the steps of the legislature, McBain said there is “overwhelming support” for a grain marketing system that is more flexible than the Canadian Wheat Board.
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Ed Armstrong of Dapp said he attended because he’s worried about the future of the value-added industry for barley. He has a contract with Agricore United to grow 90 acres of waxy hulless barley that pays a set amount over a fluctuating barley price.
“How can you operate under that environment?”
Armstrong said he is worried few value-added companies will want to do business in Western Canada if they can’t offer set prices for their contracts.
This isn’t the first time Hlady, a Calgary MLA, has introduced a test marketing bill in the legislature. Last year his bill to establish a 10-year test market for wheat and barley in the province passed third and final reading. The first bill was dependent on the federal and provincial governments agreeing to introduce a test market. The new bill doesn’t require an agreement with the federal government.
Alberta agriculture minister Shirley McClellan said the bill gives producers the ability to market their own product.
“Alberta isn’t asking for the end of the Canadian Wheat Board, just to test the ability for producers to market here,” she said after chatting with producers.
The Alberta government recently launched a $400,000 campaign to promote marketing choice in the province. Alberta Agriculture’s Choice Matters campaign is targeted at producers through newspapers, a newsletter and a website.
“More choice is important for producers and the province and producers in this province,” said Nithi Govindasamy of Alberta Agriculture’s policy secretariat.
He said the financial commitment shows how serious the province is about keeping pressure on the federal government and the Canadian Wheat Board to make changes.
“In terms of agriculture, besides the BSE issue, marketing choice is right up there in terms of importance and priorities for the province.”
Over the past year, a number of organizations have been pushing for marketing choice for wheat and barley. The provincial Chambers of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have added their names to traditional pro-choice supporters such as the Western Barley Growers Association and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers.
“It’s our belief we’ve lost value and opportunity because of the system,” Govindasamy said.
Earlier this year the provincial government submitted its proposal for a 10-year test market to the CWB and the federal government. While it hasn’t had an answer, he said there hasn’t been total silence either.
“The door does not appear to be shut.”
Govindasamy said the federal government appears to recognize the frustration that producers feel about the regulatory system.
CWB spokesperson Louise Waldman said changes to the wheat board would not be made because of glitzy government advertisements or a provincial government act, but by farmers’ will.
“Change will be dictated by farmers,” said Waldman, who added she suspects the glossy ads and newsletters are costing provincial taxpayers closer to $1 million.
