Newsroom
2001
August 10, 2001
CWB announces transportation agreement reached
Winnipeg - The Canadian Wheat Board announced
today that a transportation and handling agreement has been reached
with the Western Grain Elevators Association (WGEA) and Inland
Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC). The agreement lays the
groundwork for a more commercial transportation and handling
system.
"This is a historic announcement and we are looking forward to
moving ahead with it," said CWB President and CEO Greg Arason. "We
now have a clear set of business rules that will allow us to focus
our energies on moving farmers' grain as efficiently and
effectively as possible."
The Government of Canada introduced transportation legislation May
10, 2000. Since that time, the WGEA, ITAC and CWB began negotiating
in order to implement a more commercial grain handling system.
"Given the importance of this agreement it is not surprising that
it took a significant amount of time to finalize," said CWB Chair
Ken Ritter. "But our goal from the outset was to ensure farmers
interests were protected and we feel confident farmers will benefit
from this agreement."
The three-year transportation and handling agreement is an
important step in enhancing the competitive environment at the farm
gate. Several significant initiatives - from a farmer-based system
of car awards to an improved tendering process - have been
incorporated in the deal. Through the upcoming CTA review process,
the CWB will continue pushing for increased railway competition to
benefit farmers.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest
wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest
exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than
70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs,
to Prairie farmers.