A leader in Canada’s protected supply managed sector is urging politicians not to drag supply management into the raucous debate over the future of the Canadian Wheat Board single desk.
“We are urgently writing you today in response to the discourse that has been taking place and is having an unintended negative impact on supply management,” British Columbia dairy farmer and Dairy Farmers of Canada president Wally Smith said in a letter to federal party leaders in the middle of parliamentary battles over ending the CWB wheat and barley monopoly.
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“We do not want our system to be drawn into discussions on other collective marketing systems such as the Canadian Wheat Board.”
The supply managed system, which limits Canadian production, controls import and sets prices, is under increasing attack by opponents at the same time as the Conservative government moves to end the CWB single desk.
However, the government insists its support of the system remains steadfast.
CWB supporters, including opposition MPs, have been arguing that Conservative determination to end the board monopoly is a precursor to a Conservative attack on supply management.
“We would be foolish and nave to think that our supply managed industries – poultry, dairy and eggs – are not already being lined up in the sights of the government for their demise,” Liberal agriculture critic Frank Valeriote said during a late October parliamentary debate on the CWB issue.
Conservatives, including agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, insist the government supports supply management protectionism because the CWB issue and supply management are not comparable. Supply management is supported by its affected farmers, was voted in by farmers and does not cost taxpayers money since supply management revenue comes from the market.
