OTTAWA – The federal government risks destroying the Canadian Wheat Board if it does not accept as a minimum the proposals to democratize and reduce the board’s power, says the Reform party agriculture critic.
Elwin Hermanson said last week proposals to reform the wheat board from the Western Grain Marketing Panel will not be enough to save the board.
Agriculture minister Ralph Goodale will have to go further.
“I really don’t think there is enough here to satisfy Alberta producers,” he said. “If this is all he does, there will be growing pressure by Alberta farmers to have the province move out from under the board. I just don’t think farmers who want more options will be satisfied with this.”
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In the meantime, Goodale is planning to delay decisions by at least a couple of months while he gives farmers until the end of August to comment on the recommendations.
Hermanson wondered if that delay and appeal to farmers was because the panel recommendations go further than Goodale wanted.
“If he thinks they went too far, he is not living in the same century as the rest of us on the Prairies,” said grain farmer Hermanson.
He said he found the panel proposals far too limited. It should have recommended a dual market experiment on wheat, as well as feed barley.
“I think underwhelmed is putting my reaction mildly,” said the MP.
He said any attempt by the government to do less than the panel recommends, or to delay changes, will merely fan anger at the board.
