Harper Government to Move Forward on Changes to Canadian Wheat Board: Will Appeal Federal Court Ruling

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 7, 2011) - The Harper Government will continue to move forward with delivering marketing freedom to Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers despite a disappointing ruling today by the Federal Court. Today's ruling does not impede the passing of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act. The Bill will proceed and be passed in the best interests of Western Canadian farmers and the economy.

"Farmers and our Government are disappointed by the Court's decision today," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. We will appeal this decision as we are convinced that Parliament has the right to end the single desk monopoly."

"For far too long, Western farmers have been denied the right to sell their wheat and barley as they choose, and our Government will return to farmers the marketing freedom they want and deserve."

The Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, when adopted, will end the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and give Western Canadian farmers the ability to sell their wheat, durum and barley either voluntarily through the CWB or through an open Canadian grain market.

"We are working with Western Canadian grain farmers, their organizations and provincial partners to ensure an orderly transition to market freedom," said Minister Ritz. "We will work with the CWB in the best interests of all farmers by focusing on making sure the voluntary wheat board has the best possible opportunity to succeed in an open market."

The Government's top priority remains the economy, and Canada's agriculture industry plays a vital role in creating jobs and keeping our economy strong. Modernizing grain policy in Canada will allow the Western Canadian grain industry to contribute even more to economic growth through the entrepreneurial energy of wheat and barley farmers.