Grain

Union Farmer Newsletter: September 2023

In this issue: “Let them eat concrete” Ontario’s farmers are fed up with the Greenbelt giveaways Farmers unite to defeat Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) unfair change to grading standards NFU Read more

NFU and Wheat Growers call on Minister MacAulay to halt CGC move to impose export grading standards on country elevator deliveries

Today, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Wheat Growers Association (WGA) sent a joint letter to federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay asking him to halt the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) decision to impose export grade standards on wheat delivered to country elevators. The new rule will have a massive and long-term negative impact on prairie wheat farmers incomes. Calling this a heavy-handed move, both organizations demand the change be stopped, at least until the full impacts on all stakeholders are presented to the CGC’s Western Standards Committee. The NFU and WGA disagree on many policy matters but are united in their opposition to the decision to harmonize of primary and export standards for wheat. Read more

Joint NFU, WGA letter re CGC changes to Canadian grain grading

The National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Wheat Growers Association (WGA) disagree on many policy matters but we are united in our opposition to the harmonization of primary and export standards for wheat until further clarifying evidence of the impact on farmers and customers of Canadian grain is done, as was moved and passed by the CGC’s Western Standards Committee at their April 4 meeting. The impending CGC grade standard change has costly implications for farmers’ incomes. For example, harmonized test weight means that CWRS wheat (hard red spring wheat used for baking bread) must weigh at least 63.3 lbs/bushel when delivered to the elevator instead of the current standard of 60.1 lbs/bushel or it will be downgraded to a #2. Read more

Bunge-Viterra merger has drastic implications for Canadian farmers

Just five companies known as the “ABCD group” control 90% of the world grain trade – and the B in this group is about to get much bigger. B is Read more

Take Action: Reverse CFIA decision on gene edited seed regulation!

On May 3, 2023 Agriculture Minister Bibeau approved the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulatory guidance on gene-edited genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) plants and seed, making many of Read more

Gap Continues to Widen between Food Prices that Consumers Pay Retailers and Prices Farmers Receive

Saskatoon, SK — “The National Farmers Union (NFU) applauds the study undertaken by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food regarding food price inflation, and today we have Read more

CGC’s Improved Grain Grading Dispute Resolution Process Helps Farmers, Says NFU

Hanley, SK – The National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased with the changes to the Canadian Grain Commission’s grain grading dispute resolution service formerly called “Subject to Inspector’s Grade and Dockage” Read more

Union Farmer Newsletter: September 2022

In this issue: Seed Regulatory Modernization – What’s it all about? Pest Management Regulatory Agency Legislative Review Putting Limits on Farmland Investment Companies Seed Regulatory Modernization – What’s it all Read more

Canadian Grain Commission Science Strategy Public Engagement

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased to provide input regarding the research and science-based activities currently carried out at the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). The NFU strongly supports maintaining Read more

Submission to CGC “Subject to Inspector’s Grade and Dockage” consultation

The NFU supports the CGC's proposed changes to "subject to" framework. The CGC’s authority to enforce grade and dockage through binding determination in the event of a dispute provides farmers with a power-balancing force against companies that are able to unfairly downgrade and thereby discount grain delivered to the country elevator. Read more