The Liberal task force on agriculture has told the prime minister and
Liberal caucus that many farmers have little faith in the government’s
trade strategy.
Many farmers are suspicious that Canadian marketing boards and state
trading enterprises such as the Canadian Wheat Board could be
undermined in future trade negotiations, in part because of lukewarm
government support, the committee said.
“Canadians have told us they are concerned about the future of their
marketing boards,” said the April 17 report from the task force of
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Liberal MPs and senators that was presented by chair Bob Speller. “It
is felt that there is very little support for them in the federal and
provincial bureaucracies.”
The group demanded a stronger show of commitment.
“The government must instruct its international trade negotiators to
defend our sovereign right to determine our domestic marketing systems,
including export state trading enterprises.”
Meanwhile, at least one task force proposal had the Canadian Alliance
talking about theft.
The report noted that trade disputes involving perishable products “can
result in a loss of value or even the entire shipment.”
It referred to Canada-United States disputes last year that tied up
shipments of hothouse tomatoes and Prince Edward Island potatoes.
“A Canadian rapid response team should be established to prevent delays
and to deal swiftly with trade disputes over perishable goods,”
recommended the Liberal report.
Alliance trade critic Rick Casson said it sounds suspiciously like a
steal from an earlier CA call for establishment of a non-binding “rapid
response process” to try to head off costly trade disputes with the U.S.
“It is good to see that at least some Liberals see the need for our
rapid response proposal,” said Casson. “Now, if only their cabinet
would wake up and adopt the policy.”
Actually, the Liberal task force recommendation appears to stop short
of the Alliance suggestion for the creation of a panel of experts to
hear arguments from both sides before a trade dispute ends up in a long
formal trade dispute resolution process.
Agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief has already raised doubts about the
proposal. In a letter last year to Casson, he questioned whether
another informal trade dispute panel process could simply delay the
ultimate resolution by adding another layer.
