The struggle between Canadian Wheat Board supporters and those who want to sell their wheat and barley on an open market has been resurrected.
A recently commissioned Alberta Agriculture survey reported more than 60 percent of Alberta wheat and barley growers favour change to the current CWB monopoly on western-grown wheat and barley exports.
Conducted by the polling company, Ipsos-Reid in September and October, the survey said 68 percent of 600 Alberta growers want to sell their barley to anyone, including the board, while 64 percent of producers want the option for wheat. Only a quarter of growers surveyed support single-desk selling for wheat and barley.
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The results are considered accurate to within plus or minus 3.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The margin of error is larger for sub-groupings within the survey.
Survey participants had to grow at least 160 acres of wheat and/or barley.
They were asked about what they expect from marketing choice, obstacles they face, and their opinions on new pricing and payment options.
The survey also attempted to identify how many producers did not vote in the last wheat board director election. More than 70 percent of board supporters said they voted while about 50 percent of those who want change said they voted. Reasons for not voting included apathy and missed voting deadlines.
Nithi Govindasamy of Alberta Agriculture’s policy secretariat is confident the survey results will help promote the provincial government’s desire for a test open market in Alberta.
Alberta passed a test market bill last year and agriculture minister Shirley McClellan plans to take the survey results and discuss the possibility further with federal officials.
There are some questions of jurisdiction, however.
“As to what the legalities of the matter are with respect to how the Canadian Wheat Board Act operates, that is some of the homework that is being done right now,” Govindasamy said.
The federal government argues farmers can make changes to the wheat board by electing directors who favour more marketing choices. Alberta officials disagree.
“To say ‘go through the process’ is a farce. That is a dereliction of duty on the part of the federal government,” Govindasamy said.
But some farmers question the survey.
George Calvin of New Norway was surveyed last month. He said the questions were slanted to provide the government with answers it wanted.
“The questions were worded in such a way, if you gave a proper answer it would give them the wrong impression. It wouldn’t give your true feelings,” he said.
However, Cremona farmer Doug McBain has faith in the survey. He said board opponents must “keep hammering.”
