Newsroom
2000
September 20, 2000
CWB asks CGC to enforce the Canada Grain Act
Winnipeg -- In response to grain company threats to refuse to
unload rail cars coming from Northwest Terminal at Unity, SK, the
CWB has asked the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) to enforce the
Canada Grain Act and ensure the cars are unloaded.
Northwest Terminal secured the additional rail cars through the
CWB's tendering process and the Canada Grain Act clearly states
that terminals must unload the cars if there is space. Failing to
do so can result in the terminal being fined or having its license
removed.
"The CWB will not stand idly by and let the grain transportation
system grind to a halt to the detriment of farmers," said Adrian
Measner, Executive Vice-President of Marketing. "It's one thing for
the companies not to participate in the tendering process. It's
quite another for them to illegally try to punish those independent
companies that do take advantage of the tendering process."
As shipper, the CWB has contacted the railways to ensure the grain
is moved to port position.
"If the CWB did not have a role in transportation, the independent
companies and farmer-owned terminals would be at the mercy of
companies with terminals at port," said Measner. "This could result
in farmers having fewer options and less competition for their
deliveries in the country."
The federal government announced transportation legislation in June
that stated 25 per cent of the CWB's grain movement must be through
tendering. The CWB has proceeded to make the system work as
effectively as possible. The grain companies, who originally
lobbied for tendering, have refused to tender.
"Some of the smaller companies obviously believe the risk is
manageable and have tendered," said Measner. "You'd think all
companies would be interested in the revenue and movement tendering
would provide."
The CWB is the world's largest farmer-controlled wheat and barley
marketer. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, it is one of
Canada's biggest exporters and the largest net earner of foreign
currency. Marketing Prairie-grown wheat and barley to over 70
countries around the world, the CWB returns all sales revenue, less
the costs of marketing, to farmers in Western Canada.