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Wheat Board election watched closely

When the results of the Canadian Wheat Board elections are announced in December, Jeff Nielsen could have new allies in his push for reform of the grain marketing agency — or none.

When the results of the Canadian Wheat Board elections are announced in December, Jeff Nielsen could have new allies in his push for reform of the grain marketing agency — or none.

Directors are being chosen for five of the Wheat Board’s 10 districts, with ballots sent out to producers this week. None of those districts extend into Central Alberta, but the directors chosen to represent them will gain a say in the future direction of the Wheat Board.

“It’s going to be very interesting,” said Nielsen, who farms near Olds and is the director for District 2, which covers southwestern Alberta, including Red Deer County, Lacombe County, Mountain View County, Ponoka County and Clearwater County.

Like his predecessor Jim Chatenay, Nielsen supports an open market in which producers can sell their grain independent of the Wheat Board. Eight of the current directors favour the existing single-desk system, which gives the Wheat Board a monopoly over the marketing of Western Canadian wheat and barley.

District 1 director Henry Vos agrees with Nielsen, but his district is among those up for election this year. Vos is being challenged by Dan Gauthier — a staunch single-desk supporter.

Candidates in the other districts include some who favour the Wheat Board’s monopoly powers and others who want reform.

Nielsen didn’t want to endorse any candidates over others, but acknowledged that it would be nice to have support in his campaign for change. It’s important to elect directors who will further the interests of farmers, he added.

“We need to see quality directors in there making decisions for farmers and creating an environment that works for everybody.”

In addition to the 10 elected directors — five of whom are up for election every two years — there are four directors who are appointed by the federal government.

The Conservative government has sought to remove barley from the Wheat Board’s monopoly control, but was blocked by a federal court judge who ruled that such change requires Parliamentary approval. A subsequent bill to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act stalled when the 2008 federal election was called.

“We’re still at loggerheads when it comes to some of us wanting to move further down the road than others,” said Nielsen, adding that until the federal government pushes the issue or Wheat Board directors agree to change, not much is likely to happen.

He stressed that he wants a strong Wheat Board, but would like to couple this with choice for farmers. He and his fellow directors continue to work in the best interest of farmers, he said, with a number of opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

Among these are international competition, crop failures and the growing global demand for food.

“We’re in a very interesting time and period.”

hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com