The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is disappointed that Parliamentarians could not set aside differences to move forward in a constructive manner in much-needed reforms to the Canada Grain Act and the Canadian Grain Commission.
“Failing to reform the Grain Act means that prairie farmers continue to be saddled with unnecessary costs,” says Kevin Bender, President of the Wheat Growers. “Our industry needs to modernize and make sure our regulatory system fits with the needs of the marketplace.”
The shelving of Bill C-13 means that potential cost savings from the elimination of unnecessary costs on the inspection and weighing of grain shipments will now be lost.
The Wheat Growers advocate the implementation of an optional inspection and grading system on prairie grain shipments.
“Increasingly, customers are buying grain on the basis of specs,” says Bender. “Our regulatory system needs to adapt to face this reality.”
The Wheat Growers note that mandatory inward weighing and inspection at port terminals does not contribute to Canada’s food safety system. CGC inspectors are not on-site inspecting grain shipped to domestic flour mills, malt plants or crushing facilities. Farmers and companies are chiefly responsible for food safety in these instances with oversight provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. It is false to suggest that the CGC grading inspectors are necessary to assure safe food for domestic or export customers.
The Wheat Growers note that mandatory inward weighing and inspection is only in place for western Canadian grain shipments. This imposes costs on prairie farmers that eastern farmers are able to avoid. “If CGC inspection is truly necessary, why are eastern farmers exempt?” asks Bender.
The Wheat Growers are also disappointed that the shelving of Bill C-13 means that an examination of CGC bonding and the exploration of alternatives will not go forward at the House of Commons Agriculture Committee.
“There is a need to ensure good risk management tools are in place to provide payment security to farmers” says Bender. “CGC bonding has failed farmers in the past. We need to examine whether a clearinghouse system or other models would provide better protection at a lower cost.”
The Wheat Growers are contacting various Members of Parliament from all political parties to encourage them to resurrect legislation that will help modernize Canada ’s grain regulatory system.
