OTTAWA - Some western farmers are arguing that the federal government wants to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board and turn control of agriculture over to big business.
They say it's the start of a slope that could see the government do away with marketing boards, medicare and the CBC.
Farm representatives are in Ottawa protesting a closed-door meeting called by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to discuss the future of the barley industry.
The government wants to give western farmers the option of selling barley outside the wheat board system, although its first try was stymied by a Federal Court decision.
Opponents of that idea say the Ritz meeting is a ploy to allow wheat board "haters" to bully the agency into giving up control of the barley market.
Although a plebiscite last year seemed to support the government's effort to allow farmers an option in barley sales, opponents say the vote was rigged.
The government has appealed the Federal Court decision on barley marketing and a hearing is scheduled for next month.
