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By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Alberta Wheat, Barley Commissions asking for changes as part of the Canada Grain Act review

Apr 29, 2021 | 1:59 PM

The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions has some things they want to see come out of the review of the Canada Grain Act.

They are calling for an end to mandatory services like outward weighing and inspections of outgoing grain ships currently done by the Canadian Grain Commission.

It says accredited third-party inspections would be done, adding 80 per cent of shipments are already inspected by third parties and the Grain Commission, meaning more cost for farmers.

They also want to see the commission take on a bigger role in supporting a farmer’s right to dispute grading results.

“We believe the current hybrid role of the CGC, as both a regulator and service provider, is no longer the best use of resources or in farmers’ best interests. The market for testing services is mature and efficient, and it is no longer necessary for the government to provide these services,” says Alberta Wheat Commission chair Todd Hames, in a release.

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“These recommendations recognize that the growing amount of technical testing throughout the grain value chain will require an expansion of the CGC’s regulatory and enforcement role to ensure farmers’ grain is graded consistently. We are also calling for greater transparency in the cost of the regulatory system to farmers,” adds Alberta Barley chair Tara Sawyer in that same release.

The commission also wants the costs associated with Grain Commission work shown as a separate fee when grain sales are made, an expanded role for the commission in grading domestic sales, full taxpayer funding for the Grain Research Laboratory, and giving the CGC the power to send out information on grain exports faster.

The two Alberta Commissions have sent an 18-page submission to the federal government. It can be read here.

The federal government is currently running an online consultation to gather input. The deadline to make a submission is Friday, April 30.