In the dog days of summer... the discussion on the fate of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) has started to really heat up. Champion of farmers rights, agrologist Wendy Holm has given up much to save us from ourselves(?). Understanding your legislative rights and legalities is imperative for farmers.
In the year 2006 I am blown away by the belief of some farmers that they can go it alone and win. With all the staggering blows from other countries re BSE, trade, etc. and the control exerted by huge companies like Cargill and ADM, in this day of cries for COP for grains and oilseeds, it is mind boggling to see the responses from farmers who should know better!!
I am posting Ms. Holm's most recent call for action for all to see AND think about.-cg
I am posting Ms. Holm's most recent call for action for all to see AND think about.-cg
Help Stop the Murder of the Cdn Wheat Board
AS AN AGROLOGIST, I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN URGENT PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITY FOR CANADA.
THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA HAS SAID IT WILL ACT IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE CWB ACT.
THIS WILL DESTROY THE CANADIAN WHEATBOARD,TRANSFERRING $800 MILLION A YEAR FROM CANADIAN FARMERS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES TO LARGE TRANSNATIONAL GRAIN COMPANIESAND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS .
IT IS TIME FOR CANADIANS TO COME TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF FARMERS .
It contains:
PDF's
* The Canadian Wheat Board Under Attack - WHY YOU SHOULD CARE!
* One page briefing on Bill C-300
* Factors behind the impending death of the Canadian Wheat Board
* The big fib. Opinion. Page 6. Sept 06, Central Alberta Farmer.
* Safety Nets, CWB a matter of public trust. Opinion, Apr 13, 06, The Western Producer.
* Code for disaster, part two. Opinion, Mar 9, 06, The Western Producer.
* Dual desk is code for disaster. Opinion, Feb 9, 06, The Western Producer.
SCHEMATIC - WHERE THE DUAL-DESK PRESSURE IS COMING FROM
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
BACKGROUND:
What is the Canadian Wheat Board?
The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is a farmer-controlled organization that markets wheat and barley grown by western Canadian producers. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the CWB is the largest single seller of wheat and barley in the world, holding more than 20 per cent of the international market.As every respected farm economist who has studied it has affirmed, the Canadian Wheat Board is a well-designed and sustainable policy mechanism that delivers price equity to Canadian grain growers -equity that amounts to over $800 million a year in benefits to Prairie communities.
It is also overwhelmingly supported by Canada's grain growers.
BILL C-300
This fall, Bill C-300, An Act to Amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act, will come before the House of Commons for Second Reading. Under the banner of "freedom of choice", this Bill, if passed, will destroy the one desk selling authority of the Canadian Wheat Board, the only leverage standing between prairie grain farmers and the market power of the highly concentrated transnational grain sector.
American grain interests have been gunning for the CWB for over 20 years, yet Canada has won every trade challenge. We should be touting the CWB model for farmers in other countries to emulate.
Instead, Bill C-300 would wipe it off the table, and with it, the future of Canadian agriculture.Seemingly innocuous, Bill C-300 purports to simply offer growers "choice" in the marketing of their wheat. When introduced in the House, it will be couched in terms such as "grower choice" and "support for bio-fuels development". And supportive of a strong CWB.
Make no mistake. Bill C-300 will destroy the single desk selling authority of the Canadian Wheat Board, opening the door to take-over of Canada's grain sector by powerful, transnational grain conglomerates.
What this is and isn't about.
This issue is not about debating the merits of the CWB. Surely we must agree that farmers in a given commodity sector know what is working best for their sector. The Canadian Wheat Board has withstood challenges under both the WTO and NAFTA and has emerged intact.
Despite this, Ottawa is poised to destroy it, and in so doing turn Canada's grain sector over to powerful, US based transnationals...
Ottawa prepared to act in contravention of CWB ActSection 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act expressly forbids the Minister to change the act without a prior referendum in support of such changes by the growers. Chuck Strahl and his new government says that doesn't matter. It matters to farmers. It matters to this Agrologist.
Implications for Suppy Management:
If this can happen to the Canadian Wheat Board, it can happen to supply management. Both stand between concentrated market players and the price-spreads they can capture if they can only diminish farmer pricing power in the marketplace.
Destroying the independence and sustainability of Canada's grain, dairy, poultry and egg farmers will destroy the fabric of Canada's farm sector, and with it all hope of food security and food sovereignty.
Defeat Bill C-300 this fall.
It is time to stop this train in its tracks. Bill C-300 is bad for Canada and must be defeated in the House this fall.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Send an email to your MP** explaining to her/him why it is important that they defeat Bill C-300 and refer them to the web site
2. Copy it to MP Chuck Strahl at Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca
3. Copy it also to Stephen Harper at Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
This is the hill to die on. Unless Bill C-300 and the intent behind it is defeated, Canadian agriculture as we know it will disappear.
Take the time to send an email Please.
Wendy
** Don't know your MP's email? Get it at
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca________________________________________________
WENDY R. HOLM, P.AG. THE HOLM TEAM Economist, Agrologist, WriterAgriculture. Economics. Policy. International Co-operationphone: (604) 947-2893 fax: (604) 947-2321
No comments:
Post a Comment