In their anger over the provincial government’s decision to dismantle the single-desk selling agency for hogs four years ago, Manitoba farmers held a heated meeting in Selkirk, Man.
Some threatened political action against the Tories.
The NDP agriculture critic responded by telling the group that her party would reinstate Manitoba Pork’s monopoly if elected.
But in an interview the day after the election that saw her party take power – albeit without any organized action from hog producers – Rosann Wowchuk was less committal.
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Wowchuk said her government will meet with hog producers to learn how things are going without the single desk.
“I’m worried about small farm operations and not-so-very-small farm operations,” she said.
If most hog producers seem to want the monopoly back, the government will look at whether and how it could reinstate it.
Not in the cards
Marcel Hacault, chair of the Manitoba Pork Council, said the council, which represents all producers in the province, does not have a policy to re-establish the single desk.
He said farmers were forced to have more marketing choices, but now seem to enjoy those options.
Hacault hears few farmers calling to turn back the clock on the dismantled board.
Wowchuk said in the future, her government would not dismantle marketing agencies unless most producers called for the change.
The party has also promised to “aggressively defend” the role of the Canadian Wheat Board.
