CALGARY (Staff) – When reform comes to Canada’s grain transportation and marketing systems, Alberta Wheat Pool will bend the way farmers decide to go.
In the last year, the grain pool has taken a pro-choice stance on these issues, saying the decision belongs to farmers, whether it be regulatory reform or more open grain selling.
“I hope farmers make the decision because it’s their livelihood we’re playing with, not Alberta Pool’s,” said pool president Alex Graham at the co-operative’s annual meeting last week.
Talk across the Prairies questioning the wheat board’s duties prompted Graham to agree the board needs some reform, although he doesn’t support its demise.
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“I’m hopeful and confident the wheat board will be around for a long time yet. Yes, it needs some changes and needs some improving,” he said.
Graham told delegates they must decide what kind of marketing program they want.
“As a farmer, you must decide what is best for your business and the long-term health of the agricultural industry,” he said.
If markets opened, Alberta Pool would be ready to sell immediately through XCAN Grain, the export marketing arm of the three prairie wheat pools.
“… I don’t think that we should be involved in the debate because as a commercial enterprise, we will have to respond either way,” said Graham.
He added that a number of changes are coming to the pool designed to streamline country operations, trim costs and service farmers’ requests faster.
He said changes to the rail system, the Western Grain Transportation Act and financial pressures on the federal government have made the changes necessary.
