Several producer organization have made submissions prior to this Friday’s (April 30) deadline.

Some groups support the current mandatory outward inspection (APAS and SaskWheat) while others (Western Canadian Wheat Growers) say those duties should be performed by third parties. Supporters of the current system say Grain Commission grading protects the “Canadian Brand”. Opponents believe there are service duplications and the grading can be done cheaper by the private sector.

SaskWheat says improving market transparency is a key issue for producers. It says through the Canada Grain Act, grain companies should be legislated to report daily and weekly sales data.

The Grain Growers of Canada submission calls for a modernized Canada Grain Act that drives agriculture’s competitiveness and reduces regulatory red tape.

We have the following links to the more detailed submissions from various producers groups:

Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan

Western Canadian Wheat Growers

Grain Growers of Canada

National Farmers Union

The last review of the Canada Grain Act occurred nearly 50 year ago.

• The Canada Grain Act is the legislative and regulatory framework for grain quality assurance in Canada. The Act sets out the objectives and functions of the Canadian Grain Commission, which is responsible for regulating grain quality and handling in Canada to ensure a dependable commodity for domestic and export markets.
• Under the Canada Grain Act, the Canadian Grain Commission is responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada’s grain grading system. The Commission also provides various safeguards for grain farmers.
• The Canadian Grain Commission’s operations cover three major areas:
  • the grain quality program (including establishing grain grading standards, grain inspection weighing and certification, and grain safety testing, analysis and monitoring);
  • the grain quality research program (including assessing and developing procedures and technologies for grain grading, assessing grain harvest quality and end-use properties, and developing new uses for grain and evaluating new varieties); and,
  • the safeguards for grain farmers program (including payment protection, the allocation of available producer cars, and the resolution of grading disputes).