NFU members and officials gave generously of their time and expertise to effectively represent farmers at the Winnipeg talks. Repeatedly, other organizations told the NFU that our people were among the best informed and most articulate participants at the talks.

The Estey/Kroeger process was designed by Transportation Minister David Collenette to manufacture an "industry" "consensus" on transportation deregulation. By participating in the Winnipeg talks, the NFU greatly increased the clarity surrounding the issues under discussion and the probable effects that many of Estey's recommendations will have on farmers. In forcing this clarity, the NFU helped highlight the clear differences between the interests of farmers and those of grain and rail companies.

By pulling out of the Estey/Kroeger talks, the NFU focused further attention on the fact that transportation reform talks based on the recommendations of Willard Estey, facilitated by Arthur Kroeger, and manipulated by powerful railways are extremely unlikely to result in cost savings or other positive outcomes for farmers.

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