Beck calls on Transport Canada to reverse decision that will cost Saskatchewan crop producers $770 million annually
REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP is joining the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) in opposing the Bunge-Viterra merger, warning it will hurt farmers and cost Saskatchewan jobs. The Official Opposition is also demanding the Sask. Party Government reverse its support for the harmful merger.
APAS points to a newly revealed letter that the Competition Bureau sent to the Minister of Transport in November, saying the merger will suffocate the agriculture sector and must be reconsidered by Transport Canada.
“The federal and provincial governments need to listen to our hardworking producers and pump the breaks on this deal,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
“This merger will be a gut punch to our agriculture sector and the many rural communities that rely on it. Two-hundred head office jobs in Regina and canola crush plants are also on the chopping block.”
The University of Saskatchewan estimates the merger will cost farmers $770 million annually in lost revenues. Saskatchewan farmers already face uncertainty with the threat of 25% tariffs under the new U.S. administration.
Despite widespread opposition by Saskatchewan farmers and farm groups, the Sask. Party government has been silent, refusing to oppose the deal. Records show a major Sask. Party donor lobbied Premier Scott Moe and senior officials on Bunge’s behalf before the merger.
“The Sask. Party has been silent as this merger is set to take hundreds of millions annually out of pockets of Saskatchewan producers,” said Beck. “The real question is: why won’t they stand up? This deal sells out our producers and we’re going to fight it every step of the way.”
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