Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki is heralding the start of marketing freedom for western Canadian farmers who grow wheat and barley.
Komarnicki was among those who joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper for a celebration on August 1 in Kindersley.
"Our government has delivered on our longstanding commitment to give western farmers the marketing freedom they want and deserve," said Komarnicki. "Thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, our farmers can finally choose how they market their own crops."
The passage of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act paved the way for Western Canadian grain farmers to finally have marketing freedom. On the start of the new crop year, August 1, the act fully came into effect. Farmers are now free to sell their wheat and barley to any buyer as they see fit.
The Harper government continues to work with its provincial counterparts, producer groups, the CWB, and the entire value chain to ensure an orderly transition to an open and competitive Canadian grain market.
The voluntary CWB remains a viable marketing option for Canadian farmers and is poised to compete for farmers' business in this new era of marketing freedom.
"Farmers know how to run their own businesses, and with the support of the Harper government, they now have the freedom to do so," said Komarnicki.
The Harper Government's top priority continues to be the economy, and the agriculture industry plays an important role in creating jobs and keeping the economy strong, Komarnicki said. He noted that Canada is the world's fifth largest exporter of agriculture and food products, with last year's exports hitting an all-time high of more than $40 billon.
