A bitter court defeat for Dave Bryan spells victory for prairie farmers, says a group supporting the Canadian Wheat Board.
“Farmers created the CWB and benefit from it,” said Wilf Harder, vice-chair of the board’s advisory committee. “All farmers should be relieved to know that a handful of lawbreakers don’t have the right to take those benefits from us.”
A Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench judge recently struck down the Saskatchewan farmer’s constitutional challenge against the board’s monopoly over prairie wheat and barley sales.
Harder said it’s ironic the group that claims farmers would make more money without the CWB spent $150,000 of farmer donations to pay for the case.
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“It’s a shame they would lead farmers down the path, having them almost convinced Bryan had a chance,” said the Morris, Man. producer.
The average Canadian is footing the bill to pay for federal government lawyers who have to fight the case for the board, he said.
Kane, Man. producer Bill Toews, who came to hear the judge’s verdict Feb. 19, said hauling the wheat board to court again and again is hurting the prairie grain industry.
“It’s taking the focus away from other issues like transportation and research,” he said.
Added Harder: “The fact that they’re accusing the wheat board of behaving in an unbusinesslike manner certainly can’t help our marketing opportunities overseas.”
Without the board, farmers will get swallowed up in the industry, Toews said.
“What I find ironic is some farmers promoting giving up the single most powerful tool we have at our disposal to influence politicians, other agencies and groups like the railways and the major grain companies,” Toews said.
“Who can take on the grain companies with the leverage of a farmer-controlled wheat board?”
