EDMONTON – Grain companies haven’t boycotted the Canadian Wheat Board’s commercial grain tenders, said the head of United Grain Growers
But when they submitted bids for the shipment of grain to port, the company did make significant changes to the board’s tenders, Brian Hayward, chief executive officer, told a group of shareholders and members at its annual meeting.
“We have responded to CWB tenders in a way that is commercially responsible.”
Hayward said he wanted to clear the air after wheat board officials said no grain companies participated in wheat board tenders. UGG responded to each of the tenders put out by the board, but with modifications.
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“It is correct to say that in responding to the CWB tenders, UGG modified some of the conditions that the CWB unilaterally insisted upon within the documents.”
Hayward would not say what the changes were, but that they objected to the grain companies being left with all the risk of getting the grain to port.
Greg Arason, chief executive officer of the wheat board said although he didn’t see the altered tenders, he understands the changes were significant enough to change the intent of the tender.
“They were significant unilateral amendments that basically altered the responsibilities,” said Arason, who spoke to the shareholder meeting.
Arason said the board is willing to keep the tender negotiations open over who is responsible for the risk of getting the grain to port.
Hayward placed part of the blame on a leadership vacuum caused by the federal and wheat board elections.
“There appears to be reluctance on part of politicians to get involved in the issues.”
