COUTTS, Alta. – Twelve people were charged here April 23 with violating the customs act for selling wheat in the United States without an export permit.
It was the first Alberta protest against the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly on export sales of western-grown wheat and barley. A convoy of about 50 farmers in seven semi-trailer grain trucks and 12 pick-ups traveled to Conrad, Mont. April 22 to sell their wheat and barley.
For most of the men who returned to Canada April 23, it was their first brush with the law. Summoned to appear in a Lethbridge court May 21, the farmers and truckers pocketed the paperwork and said they’ll be back.
Read Also
Canada told trade crisis solutions in its hands
Canadians and Canadian exporters need to accept that the old rules of trade are over, and open access to the U.S. market may also be over, says the chief financial correspondent for CTV News.
The men were charged under section 95 of the Canada Customs Act which states they must have export permits for their wheat and barley. Without the correct paperwork they can be fined $400 for the first offence and $2,000 for a second offence, said Gordon Luchia of Revenue Canada.
All 19 vehicles involved were also ticketed for seizure, but the drivers drove off in the seized trucks, which could lead to additional charges. They could face a maximum $50,000 fine or six months in jail.
While Alberta agriculture minister Walter Paszkowski, a strong proponent of allowing competition to the wheat board, said in the legislature he doesn’t condone the farmers’ actions, he understands their frustration. He said farmers should be granted export permits to get higher prices available in the U.S.
