March 06,2003

Statement of Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Canadian Wheat Board's Trade Practices Affects Farmers


The unfair trading practices of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) are harming farmers inmy state and across the country, which is why I have kept up a steady drumbeat with theAdministration to establish a level playing field and protect our agricultural economy. Iapplaud the Administration for today's decision to press the World TradeOrganization (WTO) to establish a panel that will thoroughly investigate the tradepractices of the CWB.

I worked closely with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and CommerceSecretary Don Evans last year to have the WTO complaint initiated against the CWB.Consultations held between the U.S. and Canada earlier this year achieved little results,which is why I have continued to urge for the next step toward final resolution of thisdispute through the establishment of an oversight panel of independent experts. It is timethat we once and for all end Canada's harmful marketing practices and discriminatorywheat trade barriers.