Wheat Board given ultimatum

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz issued an ultimatum to the Canadian Wheat Board yesterday, saying he intends to introduce legislation to end the board's monopoly on barley sales with or without its support.

After meeting with major players from the barley industry yesterday, Mr. Ritz urged the board to back the government's efforts to create an open market for barley at its meetings in Winnipeg this week.

Mr. Ritz said having the Wheat Board onside would remove any political barriers to getting legislation passed. At present, the opposition parties are in favour of maintaining the board's monopoly power.

The minister's request puts the board in a difficult position because it would be contrary to the Canadian Wheat Board Act for the board to approve deregulation.

The Wheat Board currently acts as a monopoly seller of Canadian wheat and barley, an arrangement that some farmers oppose as an unfair restriction of trade, and others support because it provides clout in a global market. A majority of the farmer-elected directors is in favour of keeping the monopoly, but the government has pledged to pursue an open market since before the last election.

Mr. Ritz said he had the entire supply chain on his side at yesterday's meeting, including farmers, marketers and processors.