WINNIPEG - Manitoba farmers have voiced strong support for the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on wheat and barley sales.
About 70 per cent of farmers who voted in the Manitoba government's symbolic plebiscite said they want to keep the status quo on wheat, while support dipped to 62 per cent for barley. About 65 per cent of eligible farmers participated in the $80,000 plebiscite.
Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk held the referendum because the federal government has only said it will hold a barley plebiscite, but has no plans to ask farmers about wheat.
Federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl has not ruled out having a plebiscite on wheat, but says the government will deal with barley first.
A federal barley plebiscite will be held between Jan. 31 and March 6 to find out if farmers want to have marketing choice.
