Producers welcome reversal on grading changes

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This article was published 02/08/2023 (975 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Canadian Grain Commission says grading changes it repealed due to complaints from producer groups will still have to go ahead at some point in the near future.

As the Sun previously reported, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Wheat Growers Association (WGA) wrote to new federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay last week claiming a new grading rule would have prolonged negative impacts on Prairie wheat farmers.

Currently, hard red spring wheat must weigh at least 63.3 pounds per bushel at port terminals to meet No. 1 grade. At country elevators, the standard is 60.1 pounds per bushel. The Canadian Grain Commission, which sets and maintains quality standards for Canadian grain that are used throughout the country’s grain handling system and inspects and monitors cargo shipments, sought to install one weight standard for country elevators and export terminals for most spring wheat classes as of today.

However, after receiving strong pushback from producer groups, the CGC sent out a press release on Friday that stated it was repealing the alignment of primary and export tolerances for test weight and total foreign materials for Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Hard White Spring, Canada Western Extra Strong, Canada Western Soft White Spring and Canada Northern Hard Red. The alignment of total foreign material tolerances for Canada Western Amber Durum was also repealed.

The repeal is in recognition of grower groups that were worried about the immediate impacts for farmers, the CGC’s head of communications, Rémi Gosselin, told the Sun.

“We’re pausing any changes to allow for time for more discussion with the sector.”

The CGC is committed to a science-based grading system, and is seeking a balanced approach for export standards for wheat and durum, which are necessary to fulfil milling and quality expectations of both domestic and export markets, Gosselin said. And despite repealing the proposed changes, the issue of grading standards will have to be tackled sooner rather than later.

“We continue to be concerned that if we don’t address this issue through the grading system, green companies could very well introduce the changes as a specification in green contracts. This would have an impact not only on the integrity of the grading system but also would reduce producer protections and recourse for green disputes,” Gosselin said.

Glenn Tait, a member of the NFU, was one of the producers who felt the relief of the CGC’s appeal on Friday. While there is “solid science” attached to the issue of bushel weight, Tait told the Sun he has not heard any evidence that the current regulations are causing any problems in the domestic or export markets.

“If the limits we have right now have any effect on servicing our customers,” Tait said. “We’ve heard nothing about that.”

Tait also serves on the CGC’s Western Standards Committee, which makes recommendations based on the study and review of grading issues.

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Manitoba’s farm policy group, acknowledged on Monday afternoon that farmers and value chain stakeholders were concerned about the lack of clear process surrounding the proposed changes.

“KAP, along with Manitoba farmers, is pleased that the decision has been reversed and there is a commitment to review the impact of any future changes,” KAP general manager Brenna Mahoney said in an email to the Sun sent on Monday afternoon.

KAP works directly with the CGC on consultations and expects to have their voice heard on this issue as well, although there was no consultation on the decision the CGC repealed, Mahoney said.

“We are hoping this reversal signals a commitment from the CGC to re-engage with key stakeholders before decisions are made.”

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