Pool rejects motion to stay out of politics

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Published: November 20, 1997

Farmers from southwest Manitoba who belong to Manitoba Pool Elevators asked the company to take a quieter role in policy development at its annual meeting last week.

But resolutions at its annual meeting that would have seen the company concentrate on “core business” and stop making public policy statements were defeated by other delegates.

Murray Mullin, who farms near Cartwright, said the resolutions weren’t intended to keep the company from dealing with pertinent issues, but that every time the company deals with non-business issues, it may lose business.

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He noted Alberta Wheat Pool delegates consider similar resolutions at their annual meeting.

Jim Maher, of Brandon, said Manitoba Pool must be extra careful not to alienate customers because of increased competition.

But other delegates said all business affecting farmers is part of the pool’s core business. Bryon Heinrichs, of Gretna, said Manitoba Pool stands for co-operative principles and shouldn’t be afraid to stand firm on them.

Delegates from the southwest also put forward a resolution to make more of the pool’s annual meeting closed to the public, but the meeting ran out of time.

In other business, delegates voted to support the Canadian Wheat Board’s efforts to hold railroads accountable on performance. They want the federal government to make sure farmers don’t pay for demurrage when it’s not their fault.

Farmers also voted for Manitoba Pool to make clear to all farmers and governments that deregulation isn’t the solution for problems in the grain transportation system.

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