Marketing freedom finally a reality: Prairie farmers given green light to market 2012 crop
For more details
Report
Time for a new vision at the CWB
Report on customer service
Prairie farmers' report on CWB customer service: Improvements needed
CFIB and its farm members across Western Canada welcomed the Senate's passing of Bill C-18 - Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act. Western Canadian producers can now begin developing and implementing marketing strategies for their 2012 wheat and barley.
For years, farmers have been telling us that it's time for change at the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). Preliminary results of a new November 2011 CFIB survey of Western Canadian farmers reveals strong producer support for Bill C-18. In fact, 64 per cent of farmers said the ability to market their wheat and barley outside of the CWB will have a very positive or somewhat positive impact on their farm business. Twenty-two per cent said it would not have any impact on their agri-business and only 14 per cent said it would have a somewhat negative or very negative impact.
One CFIB Prairie farm member said it best, "Market freedom from the CWB monopoly will do more to uplift the Western farm economy than 50 years worth of government support."
CFIB farm members believe marketing choice will encourage growth in processing facilities and the value-added industry in Western Canada. Other benefits include greater control of the profitability of their farm business and access to clearer and more transparent marketing signals.
CFIB has never advocated for the complete dismantling of the CWB. You said that it is important for the CWB to remain as a marketing option - just not as a monopoly.
Farmers are pleased the federal government has moved forward on bringing much needed marketing change. This is about the rights of all farmers to market their own grain freely, including through the Canadian Wheat Board.
