The Editor,
In a recent letter to the editor, Stewart Wells, past president of the NFU and current CWB director candidate criticizes the Wheat Growers for seeking the opportunity to price and deliver our grain at a time of our choosing, instead of supporting the CWB monopoly.
The Wheat Growers believe each individual farmer should be free to decide what is best for his or her farm, whether that means selling their grain on their own or in co-operation with others. In matters of commerce, we do not believe the wishes of one farmer, or even a majority of farmers, should be imposed on others. Each farmer should be free to make the business decisions that best suit his or her farm.
I note too, that as an organic producer, Mr. Wells has the opportunity to buy back his wheat from the CWB for a few cents per bushel whereas the buyback rates charged to conventional farmers are prohibitively expensive. If elected, will Mr. Wells end this discrimination against conventional farmers and ensure all farmers have access to buybacks at the same rate, or will he continue to support preferential treatment for himself and other selected farmers?
The Wheat Growers favour a grain marketing system where all farmers are treated equally under the law, with the freedom to sell their grain to a buyer of their choice, rather than special privileges being granted to the favoured few.
Kevin Bender
President, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association
Red Deer, Alta
