Western Canadian grain farmers are one step closer to reaping the benefits of an open market for wheat and barley as Bill C-18, the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, is expected to pass third and final reading in the House of Commons later today. The legislation will then move forward for consideration by the Senate.
“It will be great to see this legislation clear the House,” says Kevin Bender President of the Wheat Growers. “We can’t wait to have the freedom to sell our own grain.”
Kevin is one of more than 50 prairie farmers who have travelled to Ottawa to witness and commemorate this historic event. Prairie farmers are on the verge of having the freedom to sell their own wheat and barley for the first time since 1943.
The legislation is expected to pass the Senate and be enacted into law prior to the New Year. At that time farmers will be able to sell their food-quality wheat and barley directly to any buyer, providing delivery takes place on or after August 1, 2012.
“This legislation can’t pass soon enough,” says Cherilyn Nagel, Past President of the Wheat Growers, who also made the trip to Ottawa. “We urge the Senate to pass this legislation quickly so we can start reaping the benefits of an open market.”
The Wheat Growers note the Canadian Wheat Board is again turning in a dismal marketing performance in the current crop year. Last Thursday the CWB issued its monthly Pool Return Outlook which projected a final return to farmers of $6.60 per bushel for milling quality wheat (1 CWRS, 13.5% protein), basis Saskatchewan. Open market prices available to U.S. farmers since the start of the crop year (August 1, 2012) have averaged Cdn $8.57 per bushel for wheat of the same quality.
“Western farmers can no longer afford to be shackled to the CWB,” says Bender. “Creating an open market for wheat and barley will give us the opportunity to capture higher returns and generate greater prosperity throughout the prairies.”
The Wheat Growers congratulate and thank federal agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and the Conservative government for ensuring the Bill was dealt with on a timely basis in the House. Speedy passage of the legislation by the Senate will be important to create market certainty and ensure farmers and the trade are in a good position to capture all available market opportunities in the 2012/13 crop year.
