WBGA News Release
March 28, 2007

WBGA Applaud Barley Plebiscite Results

Airdrie, AB - “The Western Barley Growers Association (WBGA) celebrate the announcement by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, on the results of the barley plebiscite showing a 62% preference for marketing choice of barley.” says Jeff Nielsen, President of the WBGA. “We are encouraged by the Minister’s plans to move forward to give barley producers the right to choose what markets they wish to sell into beginning August 1, 2007 – the start of the new crop year.”

Marketing choice will allow the CWB to continue to serve those farmers who are comfortable marketing their barley through the Board for price pooling or risk management. Others will have the ability to market their malt or feed barley to where they deem best, to either domestic or international buyers.

Nielsen continues by stating, “Our malting industry is ready, the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange is ready, and our grain handling system is also ready. Producers are ready too, and have been asking what are the next steps?” WBGA will be posting on our website all the information needed to obtain an export licence, Home Land Security papers needed for shipments to the US and any other papers US customs may need. “We are ready to move forward, and the time for you and the government to make the changes is at hand.”

“Marketing choice is essential to barley producers” says Nielsen, adding “we will see greater potential for value added industries building and expanding in the prairies. New stability will be brought to the marketplace as processors offer direct long term commercial arrangements with producers. We greatly appreciated your work on behalf of barley and wheat producers in maintaining your government’s stance for marketing choice.”

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