BANFF, Alta. – The Alberta Barley Commission has decided against supporting a countervail duty against United States corn imports.
Delegates to the organization’s annual meeting in Banff on Dec. 9 said a trade action is the wrong approach to imports of what corn producers in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba claim is unfairly subsidized U.S. corn.
Albert Wagner of Stony Plain said charging a countervailing duty on U.S. corn entering Canada will not improve barley sales for livestock feed and the action could drive livestock feeding businesses away if feeders cannot buy grain.
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He said the real problem is the inability to export surpluses.
“There is very little subsidized corn that is driving our price.”
Leo Meyer of Woking supported the motion, even though little corn is coming into Alberta.
“The U.S. is a great trading ally, but I’m sick and tired of their unfair trading practices.”
He said it is frustrating to watch Canada remove support programs and see farmers fall behind the competition in other countries.
While he voted against a countervail duty because he does not want trade inhibited, Killam farmer Tom Jackson said Canadian farmers need help.
“We should be going after Ottawa and Edmonton to put together a program that will make us competitive with the Americans,” he said.
