Milling & Baking News - June 14, 2011 - 28

International

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storage or export facilities but works through licensing agreements with private grain companies. Mr. Oberg asserted Prairie producers should determine the future of the C.W.B. as their marketing organization. “Through a sound democratic process, they have chosen their representatives on the C.W.B. board of directors since 1998,” Mr. Oberg said. “Farmers have the right to continue to make the decisions about the role and structure of their marketing approach. The path forward must be forged in clear accordance with their wishes.” Ralph Goodale, a Liberal Party member of Parliament representing the Wascana district of Saskatchewan and former agriculture and wheat board minister, charged the government was getting rid of the wheat board because it requires a plebiscite of producers to make major changes to the single desk. “If the government is so convinced that it’s right, why wouldn’t it hold a plebiscite and have a ringing endorsement of its position?” Mr. Goodale asked. Mr. Ritz responded by saying Mr. Goodale was “half right.” “There is a vote required if you’re changing commodities that the board is handling…,” he said. “But when you’re fundamentally changing the full act, that comes down to the supremacy of Parliament. We’re removing the Canadian Wheat Board Act. Removing the act is substantially different than removing a commodity.” MBN added, “Ensuring your child receives daily recommended nutrients is important for normal healthy growth and development, and omega-3 EPA/ DHA is a big piece of this healthy eating puzzle. We are excited to be a part of Irish Pride’s first ever omega-3 fortified bread. EPA/DHA is important at all life stages and it’s great to see a product like this that helps to address low omega-3 intake levels in Irish children, while also providing necessary vitamins and minerals.” Founded in 1989, Irish Pride Bakeries is one of the largest bakery companies in Ireland, with two bakeries located in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo and Taghmon, Co. Wexford. The bakeries manufacture a wide range of wrapped bread, soft rolls and specialty bread. MBN
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Canadian government targets C.W.B. monopoly on wheat marketing
Continued from Page 1

privatized in a process that began in 1999, leaving the C.W.B. as the last major single-desk seller in world grain markets. The C.W.B. is owned and managed by western Canadian producers, but the government provides a backstop by guaranteeing the board from losses. This exposes the government to losses, which have occurred, albeit rarely, helping engender long-standing Conservative Party opposition to the single desk. Western Canadian producers themselves seem split on support to the single-deskselling system with many asserting the C.W.B. remains the best option for producers for marketing Canadian wheat and barley and others claiming the monopoly limits their marketing options and opportunities. Foreign critics of the singledesk system, including the United States, charge the monopoly gives the C.W.B. unfair advantage in certain markets and the board lacks transparency in its export practices generally. The single-desk-selling system has been a target for restrictions and reform during world trade negotiations. Mr. Ritz recently met with board members of the C.W.B. in Winnipeg to inform them directly of the government’s intention to end the single-desk-selling system. He said

he intends to introduce legislation to that end during the fall session of Parliament. He challenged the board to “reinvent itself” after the single-desk is phased out. “Our government wants the C.W.B. to be a strong, viable option, and we made it clear that we want the board to take a key role in bringing forward any and all ideas that can help the transition,” Mr. Ritz said. “The viability of the C.W.B. now rests with the ability of the board to move forward and work with us to ensure

that all western Canadian grain farmers have marketing choice.” Allen Oberg, wheat producer and chairman of the C.W.B., said, “The minister is still talking about a strong and viable alternative to the present C.W.B., but there would be some considerable obstacles to setting up a brand new grain company on the Prairies.” The C.W.B. itself does not have

Irish Pride launches bread with omega-3 fatty acids
LETTERKENNY, IRELAND — Irish Pride Bakeries has launched Irish Pride Vita Kids Bread, the newest bread in the bakery’s range fortified with omega-3 EPA/DHA supplied by Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd., Dartmouth, N.S. Every 100 grams of Irish Pride Vita Kids Bread provides 40 mg of omega-3 EPA/DHA, is a source of folic acid, and contains vitamins C and D. “Irish Pride Bakeries has introduced a world class product, formulated to meet the nutritional needs of Irish children,” said Larry
28 / June 14, 2011 Milling & Baking News

McDonald, technical manager of Irish Pride Bakeries. “We pride ourselves on providing superior quality that meets our consumers’ demands and is why we chose Ocean Nutrition’s MEG-3 ingredient. “Research in Ireland has shown many 4-12 year-olds do not get enough vitamins and minerals in their diet. This new product is made specifically with kids in mind. Our objective was to create a bread that all children would love and that would address the main areas of dietary concern for children.” Jon Getzinger, chief sales and marketing officer for Ocean Nutrition,

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Milling & Baking News - June 14, 2011

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