I am writing in regard to the present debate between the grain companies and the CWB.
Actually, it is not just a debate. The grain companies and the railways want to take over the role of the CWB to ship, sell and transport grains.
These same companies promoted the tendering of grains, thinking it would advantage them and take control away from the CWB and provide competition.
It appears that the competition is a little more fierce than they can tolerate.
Farmers need to seriously ask themselves – are we prepared to give away our power under the CWB, which is managed by a board of elected farmers, and turn the marketing over to cash-strapped grain companies who must first answer shareholders, company managers who have the responsibility to manage the bottom line as a number one priority?
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With grain prices depressed, returns per acre are looking dismal on all the major crops with some significantly worse than others.
How would farmers’ needs be met under such a scenario and who would care if farmers were receiving the best possible price?
The next question for farmers to examine – who will represent them in the next federal election? The Alliance who want an end to the CWB (and) refuse to accept that the majority of those elected to the CWB are farmers who support the CWB?
(Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell) Day knows what is good for farmers. He will reduce taxes, failing to realize that farm income is in such a state that a reduction is meaningless. Farmers need to be careful of what they ask for. They may get it.
– Jean Leahy,
Fort St. John, B.C.
