The battle over the future of the Canadian Wheat Board is heating up, with some farmers, board members and politicians accusing the federal government of trying to silence the grain marketing agency.

Late last week, the federal government issued an order in council directing the Winnipeg-based board not to spend money to lobby for the continuation of its monopoly over the export sale of wheat and barley, which the Conservatives want to end.

Reaction to the directive has been swift. Some farm leaders have called it a gag order, opposition politicians said it was outrageous and board president Adrian Measner described it as worrisome and unfair.

"We are being asked to be quiet on our vision and our direction while at the same time the government will be promoting their vision of opening up this marketplace," Measner said.

Should hold plebiscite among farmers: board

The Conservative government wants to let individual farmers market their own grain, saying it would let them take advantage of the best prices.

But some farmers have fiercely defended the board, saying their pocketbooks would be hurt by a move to a "dual marketing system."

Board chair Ken Ritter insisted that Ottawa should hold a plebiscite among farmers about whether the monopoly should end.

He said the board is currently in the middle of director elections, so there has been no advertising by the board about its marketing future during that time.

Not fair to let board lobby, Tory MP says

However, Conservative MP David Anderson said the order in council was all about fairness and noted that farmers are divided about the proposed changes.

"It's not right that the Wheat Board should be using [its funds] to advocate one position over the other," said Anderson, the member for Cypress Hills-Grasslands in southern Saskatchewan.

'They are trying to impose upon farmers their own petty partisan point of view and they really don't give a damn what farmers think.'-Liberal MP Ralph Goodale, of the Regina-area Wascana riding

Liberal MP Ralph Goodale, a former minister responsible for the board who represents the Regina-area Wascana riding, said he saw a more sinister motive. Goodale called it a gag order on democracy.

"They are trying to impose upon farmers their own petty partisan point of view and they really don't give a damn what farmers think," said Goodale, one of two Liberal MPs in Saskatchewan.

Anderson said farmers can still debate the merits of the single desk — it's just the board that will have to remain neutral.