CFA Urges Government to Let Producers Decide Future of CWB

OTTAWA - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is renewing its call on the federal government to allow Western Canadian grain farmers to decide the fate of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), following a  Federal Court ruling today that stated the introduction of Bill C-18 without consulting the CWB or holding a farmer plebiscite was unlawful.

"The CFA and its members have always maintained it should be farmers who hold the authority in decisions affecting their marketing structures - a position we have communicated to the government on several occasions," stated CFA President Ron Bonnett.

"In light of today's Federal Court ruling, we once again call on the government to conduct a plebiscite of Western Canadian grain farmers, as required in Section 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act," added Bonnett. 

"Regardless of your stance on the CWB, the democratic rights of farmers - rights that are currently protected under the Act - must be respected. The Federal Court recognizes this right and so should the government," concluded Bonnett.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization, representing provincial general farm organizations as well as national and interprovincial commodity organizations from every province - over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.

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