Agriculture

March 3, 2008 - Mr. Mervin Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I continue to hear from producers who want freedom of choice to market their own barley.

Last year, 62% of producers voted for choice and that number is growing. Western Canadian farmers know how to best market their products and they want the right to choose. I know that the government is putting farmers first.

Could the Minister of Agriculture tell the House when we will see legislation to give farmers barley marketing freedom?

Hon. Gerry Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Brandon—Souris for his excellent work on this issue and I can assure him I am introducing legislation this afternoon to give the 62% of western farmers the freedom they have been demanding. I call on all parties to support the growing demand from western Canadian barley growers for market freedom.

Only the opposition believes that by taking away rights they somehow empower farmers. We do not believe that. We know they deserve that right to market and fill those opportunities that will give them better return on their investment.