Conservatives Start Marketing Choice Ball Rolling

VANCOUVER - Feb 12/11 - SNS -- The first effort in what appears to be Conservative Party policy to give all farmers in Canada marketing choice was launched by an Ontario Member of Parliament (MP) during the past week via a private members bill, which give farmers in western Canada the ability to opt out of selling to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).

Bill C-619 amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act to permit farmers to 'opt out' of participating in CWB activities for a minimum of two years by giving notice between January 1 and April 1 each year.

The fact the bill was introduced by a member from Ontario appears to be a clear signal that all federally constituted marketing boards in Canada will face similar legislative changes, ostensibly with members in Saskatchewan demanding marketing choice for farmers involved with dairy and eggs.

Having an MP from Ontario introduce the legislation makes it easy for Conservative MPs from Saskatchewan to deflect criticism from the large number of farmers in that province who support the Canadian Wheat Board.

Having a Saskatchewan MP introduce a private members bill giving all egg and dairy producers marketing choice would make it easier for Conservative Party members in Ontario and hopeful candidates in Quebec to deflect the ire of farmers in those provinces. It needs to be said, there is numerous dairy and egg producers in Canada who would welcome marketing and production choice.

This strategy may also be helpful to Canada's efforts to move World Trade Organization talks forward. Agricultural trade reform talks are completely stalled, in part because of Canada's federally mandated marketing boards. As long as Canada refuses to dismantle them or at least give producers of all commodities marketing choice, it will be difficult to get other countries to compromise on their bread and butter issues.

While this strategy lacks true courage, Conservative efforts to get the ball rolling on giving all farmers in Canada marketing choice is welcome.