Wheat single desk supported on Prairies

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Single-desk selling of pigs died a controversial death by government decree in Ontario last year. But, on the Prairies, where the debate over grain marketing has been equally, if not more . . . . er . . . .  vigorous, grain farmers voted last fall for directors known to support the status quo. Three directors were re-elected and two of three new faces support the board as it is. One of them is former National Farmers Union president Stewart Wells, conservatively described as "left leaning" by the Globe and Mail.

Producers elect 10 of the representatives on the 15-member board. The rest are government appointees. All elected terms are four years with elections alternating between odd and even numbered districts every two years. An accounting firm tallied the votes.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who campaigned in the last federal election by promising to weaken the marketing board, will have to wait another two years or find a new strategy. BF