Clinton Urged to Buck Canada’s Wheat Board

September 29, 2000

Eighteen members of the House and 19 senators have urged President Clinton to support the North Dakota Wheat Commission’s petition claiming unfair trade practices of the Canadian Wheat Board. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), Wheat Export Trade Education Committee (WETEC), and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) applauded the move.

Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Larry Craig (R-ID) and Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and George Nethercutt (R-WA) organized the letters.

The letter stated, "The farmers we represent are demanding action against the unfair practices of the CWB. This Section 301 petition is our best opportunity in years to address the inequities in the U.S.-Canada grain trade that have seriously injured our farmers."

It went on to say, "When the Canadian Wheat Board undercuts U.S. farmers at home and abroad, a bad situation is made even worse. With your help, however, we can take a strong stand against unfair trade practices and support our farmers."

Responding to the letter, NAWG President Terry Detrick said, "This has been an ongoing struggle between the U.S. and Canada and now is the time to set the record straight and hold the CWB accountable for their unfair trading practices."

WETEC and USW Chairman Bruce Hamnes added, "The U.S. wheat industry has seen the results overseas of the CWB's discriminatory and predatory pricing practices. We sincerely hope that the (Clinton) administration will take the appropriate actions to finally address this long-standing trade problem for American producers."

The NDWC filed the Section 301 petition on Sept. 8. The commission is urging the President to approve the petition and initiate an investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative.

Multiple investigations of the CWB over the past decade have generally produced inconclusive results. Some private studies have suggested that CWB powers actually confer little if any benefit on Canadian farmers.