OTTAWA — A task force is recommending a four-stage plan to end the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on wheat and barley exports.

The report, released Monday in Ottawa, suggests the federal government prepare for change, then form a new wheat board, launch the new wheat board and then oversee a post-transition phase.

The seven-member committee, comprised of six groups who oppose the monopoly and a chairman representing Agriculture Canada, concludes that a new farmer-owned wheat board could thrive and create value without a single desk.

Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl says he will spend the next few months examining the recommendations and hearing what farmers and stakeholders have to say.

The Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments, the federal Liberals, NDP, Canadian Wheat Board officials and a coalition of farm groups have all called on Strahl to hold a farmer plebiscite before dismantling the single desk.

Canadian Wheat Board officials have repeatedly said the board can't survive without its monopoly because it hasn't got the infrastructure to compete with multinational companies.