A strong majority of prairie wheat and barley producers believe the federal government should not move on its pledge to kill the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly until it receives more advice from affected farmers on the issue, according to an Ipsos-Reid opinion poll published Nov. 6.
The survey of 600 producers in mid-October also shows strong majority support for the wheat board, although the question did not specifically ask about the monopoly issue.
“There does seem to be some strengthening of support for the wheat board, but I caution that it was not a question on the monopoly,” said Ipsos-Reid senior vice-president Curtis Johnson.
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“Some of those who want changes may well have said they support the board.”
In general, farmers who strongly support the CWB said they believe governments and other organizations do not have enough information from farmers “to make an informed decision about the role of the Canadian Wheat Board.”
Farmers hostile to the board were more likely to say the debate should end and the government should act.
“In some ways, the call for more debate by those who support the board could be seen as a way to delay action that they do not want to see taken,” said Johnson.
“Still, I would say the main message to the federal government from this survey is that six in 10 producers feel the government needs to inform itself more about producer opinions before any decisions are made.”
Since the Oct. 10-17 survey, federal agriculture minister Chuck Strahl has announced that a plebiscite among barley producers will be held in January. He has not promised a vote among wheat producers.
Ipsos-Reid said that with a sample of 600 producers in the CWB designated area, the results are considered accurate within four percent 19 times out of 20. The producers were picked at random and had to have seeded at least 160 acres of wheat or barley in 2006 to be eligible.
The survey indicated that the bigger the farming operation, the more likely the farmer is to want action taken without further debate.
With farm sales of more than $250,000, farmers were almost evenly split on the question. Close to two-thirds of farmers with sales of less than $250,000 favoured more debate and government consultation before a decision is made.
Support for more consultation was strongest in Saskatchewan and weakest in Alberta, the only province where the majority of farmers said they are ready for government action on the issue.
Johnson said one notable result of the latest survey compared to a similar survey in 2004 is that positions have hardened. More producers – 52 percent – said they strongly support the board, while the number who said they “strongly oppose” the board – 14 percent – also was higher.
Overall, 72 percent said they support the board to some degree while 25 percent said they oppose it.
The wheat board debate has lasted for years, but Johnson said the call for more consultation may reflect the fact that while in the past the debate was theoretical because an end to the monopoly did not appear imminent, it now is a possibility with a government in power committed to that action.
“Farmers think something actually may happen so it has sharpened people’s appetite to have their voice heard,” he said.
“I think the government has to in some way acknowledge this and illustrate they have listened to farmers.”
