The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is urging Ottawa to make Bill C-48 — Modernization of Canada’s Grain Industry Act — a top priority.
In a June 8 news release, the WCWGA says Ottawa should prioritize and pass Bill C-48 in a timely fashion to ensure that American wheat growers receive equitable treatment when they sell their wheat north of the border.
Currently, Canadian farmers delivering wheat into the U.S. receive equitable treatment with grain grown south of the border.
However, U.S. producers who deliver into Canada automatically receive the lowest grade, regardless of the quality or variety of grain.
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This inequity has created “significant concerns from the American wheat industry regarding the continued discrimination of U.S. grain being delivered into Canada,” the WCWGA said.
Grain producers in both countries have worked hard to maintain a good relationship and these ongoing concerns need to be addressed before trade restrictive policies are implemented, it added.
“While changes to our Canadian system have taken place, they have not yet gone far enough to produce a more equitable environment for farmers on both sides of the border,” said WCWGA president Levi Wood.
“The United States is one of the largest and most accessible markets for our wheat and the potential of trade retaliation would have devastating effects on our industry.”
The WCWGA said passage of C-48 would result in a more standardized environment for North American wheat.
Amendments to the Canada Grain Act included in Bill C-48 would enable the assignment of Canadian grades for all varieties registered in Canada.
Passage of this bill would mean that U.S. deliveries of Canadian registered varieties are subject to the same quality and grading assessments as grain produced in Canada, thereby eliminating some of the current inequalities of trade.
“In our view, the continued modernization of the Canadian market structure is essential for maintaining a positive relationship with the U.S. agriculture industry,” said Wood.
“We need an equal trading environment with open competition.”
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