SASKATOON – Canadian grain inspectors have begun officially weighing and inspecting U.S. export grain moving through the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The Canadian Grain Commission took over the inspection service April 11 under an agreement signed with the U.S. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
The commission will be paid a fee for the service, although officials couldn’t estimate annual costs.
The inspection will be carried out on U.S. grain deposited into transfer elevators along the lower St. Lawrence River. All foreign ships arriving to pick up U.S. grain will be inspected for cleanliness, while the grain itself may be inspected and weighed depending on the customer’s desire.
CGC spokesperson Elizabeth Larmond said the commission will use existing personnel to do the work, so there will be no additional cost.
