Canadian Wheat Board taking legal steps to fight government's effort to end board's wheat, barley marketing monopoly

Andrew Rogers

LOS ANGELES , October 27, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – The Canadian Wheat Board is taking legal steps to stop the government’s bid to end the board’s grain marketing monopoly, the group said Oct. 26, but a politician who supports the CWB says its not likely to succeed, Reuters reported the same day.

The group’s challenge could slow efforts to revamp the CWB to more effectively compete for crops in the open market next year, according to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

The CWB is pursuing legal action because the government is taking steps to end the monopoly without convening a farmer vote on the issue, which current legislation requires, Wheat Board chairman Allen Oberg said.

The government is looking to replace the legislation.

The Canadian government is attempting to pass legislation by year’s end to disband the board’s monopoly on marketing Western Canadian wheat and barley for milling or export as of Aug.1, 2012.

The primary source of this article is Reuters, London, England, on Oct. 26, 2011.

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