A local producer says it's unlikely there will be a revival of the Canadian Wheat Board. Jim Pallister's responding to a recent call for the single-desk marketing authorities return, from a group in Saskatchewan. He says there are far too many benefits to the free market, making the revival of the CWB unlikely.

"There have always been a lot of supporters for the concept of single-desk selling. However, the free market is working very well. There's been a lot of growth, a lot of new companies coming, a lot of new cash flowing and grain is moving well. It's unlikely anything would revert to the old centrally-controlled system."

The producers group, known as the Canadian Wheat Board Alliance, says the termination of the CWB Monopoly has resulted in major profit losses. Pallister says from what he's seen, there haven't been too many negatives.

"There has been lots of new companies coming into Manitoba and western Canada. There's been a freeing up in terms of the number of high-yielding varieties, good bids and pricing options, and a lot more flexibility in terms of the movement of the grain. Even in our area we've seen quite a bit of investment in grain handling facilities."

He believes those who still want the single option for marketing like the idea of the centralized board, rather than a competitive market.

"I think it's ideological I suppose. There have always been a lot of people that feel a centrally controlled system is superior, but it doesn't lead to growth, investment, or opportunity."

The issue was also raised at the House of Commons recently, when NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair questioned the Liberal government's stance on the CWB. The agriculture minister responded, noting the sale has already been completed, but they'd continue to ensure farmers were selling their product for a fair market value.