Communications

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) Welcomes Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Finalized Guidance for Gene Edited Plants, Opening Doors to Agricultural Innovation

Hana Sabah on May 3, 2024

(OTTAWA ON – MAY 3RD 2024) GGC today applauds the release of CFIA’s long awaited final guidance on novel feed, marking the completion of a trio of regulatory updates that enable the introduction of gene-edited crops in Canada. These updates, initiated in 2018, are designed to foster agricultural innovation in plant breeding by addressing today’s farming challenges such as pest and disease management, yield improvements, drought resistance, and the nutritional quality of crops.

“This progress opens doors to innovation in Canadian agriculture, enabling the introduction of gene-edited crops that meet pressing agricultural challenges like drought, pests, and diseases, while enhancing nutritional quality,” said Andre Harpe, Chair of Grain Growers of Canada. “The updated guidance enables us to use the latest innovation in plant technology to produce nutritious and affordable food for Canadians and our international customers.”

The regulatory guidance aligns Canada’s regulations with our trading partners, ensuring Canadian farmers remain competitive globally. It is based on rigorous, science-driven assessments that guarantee the safety and efficacy of gene-edited crops.

“Completing this trio of regulations is a milestone that began five years ago, reflecting our joint commitment with government agencies to promote a regulatory environment that supports innovation while ensuring safety and transparency,” said William van Tassel, 1st Vice Chair of Grain Growers of Canada. “With these updated guidelines, our farmers can access advanced tools to produce crops with better resiliency and higher yields, while meeting the demands of the market today and the future.”

The clarity provided by these regulatory updates is expected to accelerate the development and adoption of new plant varieties, crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture.

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For more information:

Hana Sabah
Communications Manager
P: (514) 834-8841
E: hana@graingrowers.ca

Grain Farmers Across Canada Call for Resolution as Railway Workers Vote to Strike

Hana Sabah on May 1, 2024

(Ottawa, ON – May 1, 2024) Following the recent announcement that over 95% of railway workers at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have voted in favour of strike action as early as May 22, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), representing over 65,000 grain farmers across the country, calls for an urgent resolution to prevent potentially mass disruptions to the agricultural sector and the broader Canadian economy.

Andre Harpe, Chair of the Grain Growers of Canada, stated, “As farmers, our operations are closely tied to rail transport, both inbound to access crop inputs and outbound to deliver grain to export position. A rail strike now is the last thing we need. We’re at a critical point in the seeding season, and any delay in shipping can directly affect our bottom line and cause substantial economic losses across the agricultural sector.”

The potential for a combined strike at both CN and CPKC could severely impact the grain sector, which is highly dependent on rail transportation due to Canada’s vast geography. Approximately 94% of Canadian grain is transported by rail, with a significant portion destined for export markets. A disruption in rail service could leave grain elevators unable to accept crops from farmers due to limited storage capacity, resulting in delayed payments and financial hardships for growers.

“We are deeply worried about the impact a strike would have, not just on our operations but on Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier. Consecutive supply chain disruptions have already strained our relationships with international buyers. Another stoppage could drive them to seek other markets, affecting us long-term,” added Brendan Phillips, 2nd Vice Chair of GGC.

GGC emphasizes the two-fold impact of the dispute: domestically, grain elevators will face storage issues, port terminals will suffer demurrage, and internationally, Canada risks weakening trade relations due to unreliable grain deliveries. In June 2023, Canada exported over 2.6 million metric tonnes of grain, highlighting the potential economic loss of over $35 million for each day in June that a strike persists.

Grain Growers of Canada stresses the importance of uninterrupted rail service for the agriculture sector’s sustainability and international competitiveness. “We urge the unions and railway companies to consider the broader impact of their negotiations. It’s crucial to find a resolution that keeps our trains moving and our grain flowing to markets around the world,” Harpe concluded.

As the mediation period begins, GGC is advocating strongly for a resolution that ensures the stability and continuity of Canada’s grain supply chain, which is essential for the livelihoods of Canadian grain farmers, our country’s food security, and our economy.

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For more information:

Hana Sabah
Communications Manager
P: (514) 834-8841
E: hana@graingrowers.ca

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes Mr. David Hunt as the new Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission

Hana Sabah on April 24, 2024

(OTTAWA – April 24, 2024) Grain Growers of Canada welcomes Mr. David Hunt as the new Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission. The Canadian grains sector has significantly evolved over the past forty years, necessitating updates to the Canadian Grain Act to keep pace with changes in international markets, crop varieties, and farm operations.

“Our engagement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and our submission to the Canada Grain Act Review consultation highlight our commitment to modernizing this legislation to better serve grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada.

“We extend our gratitude to Mr. Doug Chorney for his dedicated service as the Chief Commissioner since 2017 and wish him the best in his future endeavours. We look forward to collaborating with Mr. Hunt to advance these important reforms, ensuring our Canadian growers remain competitive and continue to meet the highest standards of grain quality,” concluded Larkin.

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For more information:

Hana Sabah
Communications Manager
P: (514) 834-8841
E: hana@graingrowers.ca