national
farmers union
national
farmers union
SWIFT CURRENT,Sask.-"Canadian Grain Commission management is proposing fundamental changes and cuts to CGC services which threaten Canada's reputation as the supplier of the highest quality grain in the world. The loss of that quality reputation will cost farmers dearly. Further, the proposed changes weaken the CGC in its role as producers' watchdog," said NFU Saskatchewan Coordinator Stewart Wells.
Wells was commenting on the Canadian Grain Commission's Program Review released yesterday. That Review contains numerous recommendations including:
The Review also recommends that grain company employees be allowed to take over inspection services from CGC inspectors.
The CGC currently inspects the contents of each rail car which arrives at a terminal elevator. Incorrect, off-condition, and contaminated grain can be spotted at that time, before that carload of grain is mixed with others. "Discontinuing or privatizing inward inspection is a dangerous, unwise, and unwarranted move. Farmers pay just 1¢ per bushel for that service, it is valuable to them, and there have been no calls from farmers for its termination." said Wells.
"In addition, the CGC is farmers' watchdog at port and throughout the grain handling system," said Wells. The Canada Grain Act states that the CGC shall, "in the interests of grain producers, establish and maintain standards of quality for Canadian grain and regulate grain handling in Canada, to ensure a dependable commodity for domestic and export markets." Wells stated: "Despite its clearly-intended role as producers' watchdog, the CGC is down-sizing and dismantling itself as a result of pressure, not from farmers, but from grain companies. This is illegitimate. Federal Minister of Agriculture Lyle Vanclief should recognize that the proposed changes are designed to benefit grain companies and will undermine the protections for farmers currently built into the system."
Wells concluded: "Farmers value CGC services and want them continued. The CGC is an indispensable component of the western Canadian grain handling and marketing system. The NFU calls on Chief Commissioner Barry Senft and the hundreds of dedicated CGC employees to resist grain company pressure and the general trend toward privatization and deregulation and continue to aggressively safeguard farmers' interests within the Canadian grain handling system."
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