Date: November 2, 1995
Release: Immediate

FARMERS DEMAND CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL EXPORTERS

Winnipeg -- The Advisory Committee to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) demands the Minister of National Revenue clarify the penalties for illegally shipping wheat and barley to the United States.  Wheat and barley shipped to the U.S. must have a CWB export licence.  However, in recent weeks some truckers have blatantly defied the law and trucked wheat and barley across the border without the licences.

"We demand that the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of National Revenue, clearly demonstrate that illegal exporters are being fined and that these fines will be collected," said Wilfred Harder, Advisory Committee Chairman.  "They are selling their grain outside the pooling system and are not only breaking a Canadian law, but doing so at the expense of other farmers.

Illegal exporters face penalties of $100 per tonne for wheat and $40 per tone for barley, plus a $400 fine on the truck for the first illegal shipment, and $2,000 for each additional illegal shipment.  Other penalties may also be applied including the seizure of the truck.

The Advisory Committee consists of 11 members elected for a four year term by farmers from across Western Canada.  The Committee advises the CWB on issues and policy matters dealing with its operations and provides communication between western grain producers and the CWB.

-30-

For more information contact: