'No problem' with dumped wheat, MP says
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 | 6:07 PM AT
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
Eastern P.E.I. MP Lawrence MacAulay met Tuesday with federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to discuss what MacAulay calls "the disaster" in the milling wheat industry.
'Again we're in a situation where the farmer is getting slapped in the face.'— MP Lawrence MacAulay
Grain farmers across the country are having trouble meeting standards for levels of fusarium blight toxin being demanded by mills. Thousands of tonnes of wheat have been dumped in P.E.I alone.
Previously, farmers were able to get their wheat into the mill with toxin levels up to two parts per million, but this year levels above one part per million are being rejected.
"The point is we produced this wheat for more than 30 years with absolutely no problem. All of a sudden we can't use it at all," MacAulay told CBC News on Wednesday.
"One farmer had $300,000 worth of wheat and can't sell it. That's a disaster for any farmer. I've farmed. I know what it's like when somebody changes the rules halfway through the third period of the game. It's pretty disastrous for anybody involved in agriculture.
"Again we're in a situation where the farmer is getting slapped in the face," he said. "I want to try to get that stopped."
Ritz is well aware of the situation, MacAulay said, and has promised he is working with industry to come up with a solution.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature
- The Opposition raised questions in the provincial legislature Friday over the decision to close the Wood Islands liquor store. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- While reaction continues to brew over Thursday's announcement about changes to the Employment Insurance program, P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says provincial officials will be meeting with the federal government to discuss how the new rules will affect Islanders. more »
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- Although the proposed harmonized sales tax is good for business, it will hit low-income Islanders the hardest when it's rung in next April, said economists. more »
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Charlottetown's Fred Hyndman was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada Friday. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after completing a six-game series win Friday night over the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- P.E.I. quality of life second-worst, says study
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- 902 numbers running out in N.S., P.E.I.
- Islanders worried over EI changes
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Atlantic Lottery replacing old VLTs
- Tourism P.E.I. handed out $60,000 in free golf passes
- Red Shores Raceway's fastest horse put down

