The Progressive Conservative party says it would give prairie grain farmers the opportunity to sell their grain where they can get the most for it.
In an agriculture policy released late May 12, the party appears to be endorsing dual marketing for the Canadian Wheat Board.
“A Jean Charest government will ensure that the wheat board is flexible enough to (allow) producers to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them,” says the party policy.
It promises to consult farmers about the future of the board and it condemns the Liberals for not proposing to give farmers enough control over the CWB.
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The party also proposes to:
- Amalgamate Agriculture Canada into a super department of sustainable development with environment, fisheries and natural resources. It would reduce duplication and allow better communications between sectoral groups and government decision-makers.
- Transfer more research from government to the private sector, “creating a closer relationship between research and development and the needs of domestic and world markets.”
- Increase cost recovery fees to farmers for food inspection and regulatory oversight while making sure farmers pay only for the cost of services provided.
- Cut all farm subsidies, even before the rest of the world does, to give Canadian farmers the advantage of becoming accustomed to a support-free world “in order to be more competitive in the future.”
However, the PCs said they will continue to support the Net Income Stabilization Account program and cash-advance program.
And they vowed a Conservative government would continue to promote food exports, defend supply management against American attack and refuse to limit grain exports to the U.S.
It also said breaking down interprovincial trade barriers will create jobs and sales opportunities for farmers, although it will “inevitably raise the question of various agricultural support programs and marketing boards.”
