The federal NDP critic for the Canadian Wheat Board file says he doesn't see how the government can dismantle the single desk by next August.

"I'm cautioning producers that I believe the Minister is wildly optimistic to think that he can orchestrate such radical, revolutionary change by August 1st, 2012," says Winnipeg Centre MP Pat Martin. "He hasn't even introduced the bill yet. It will have to clear all stages of debate and the Senate, and then receive Royal Assent by December 15th for him to have any chance of implementing these changes for the 2012 crop year."

He says the NDP is committed to using every parliamentary procedure available to them to delay the legislation.

"We're not just trying to delay, we're trying to do our due diligence. You don't dismantle a $6 billion per year corporation without studying the cost/benefit analysis. We don't know what this will cost. KPMG is suggesting it could be up to $500 million dollars in closing costs," he says. "We're going to ensure that we hear witnesses, study and analyze this revolutionary change. I think it will take longer. I don't think he'll get it through all stages of the House by December 15th. And if he doesn't there's no way that the new regime will be in place by August 1st, 2012."

Martin says the CWB debate is a priority for the NDP.

"This is a top of mind issue for us because it goes to the very heart and soul of what the NDP believes in. We believe the little guys have a right to act collectively to protect themselves from being gouged by big agri-food business," he says. "I have my leader's approval to give this everything we've got. Ritz, as a lightweight in cabinet, is going to have the fight of his life in Parliament if he thinks he's going to ram this through."

"As far as the prairie region, this is the legislative fight of the century," says Martin.

Meanwhile, Ritz says he remains committed to giving prairie farmers the right to choose where they sell their grain.

"It's unfortunate the Opposition wants to play politics with this and hold western Canadian farmers away from the same rights that Ontario farmers have. I find that very oxymoronic. At the end of the day, we campaigned hard on giving western Canadian farmers marketing freedom. We will follow through."