Canadian Grain Commission maintains licensing exemptions for agents, feed mills and producer railway car loading facilities

News release

September 12, 2018                 Winnipeg          Canadian Grain Commission

The Canadian Grain Commission will continue to exempt feed mills, agents with primary or process elevator facilities and producer railway car loading facilities from licensing requirements.

After consulting with the sector, the Commission has decided that grain handlers that fall under one of these three categories may operate without a Canadian Grain Commission licence as long as they continue to meet the conditions associated with their respective exemptions. This decision reflects the clear feedback provided by stakeholders, as well as an analysis of the relative risks these types of operations pose to producers and the grain quality assurance system.      

This approach will allow the Canadian Grain Commission to maintain the quality, safekeeping, and orderly, efficient handling of Canadian grain without increasing costs and regulatory burden for the grain sector.

Quotes

The Canadian Grain Commission is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure our rules and regulations meet the needs of the Canadian grain sector.”

Patti Miller,
Chief Commissioner, Canadian Grain Commission

Quick facts

  • The Canada Grain Act mandates the Canadian Grain Commission to license or exempt grain companies from licensing if their businesses meet certain legislated requirements. The two main objectives for licensing are to protect the interests of grain producers and to maintain Canada’s grain quality assurance system.

  • In 2016, the Canadian Grain Commission conducted a consultation on proposals to license feed mills, agents and producer railway car loading facilities. The majority of stakeholders that provided feedback were opposed to the proposed licensing changes. Further analysis confirmed that producer payment complaints involving these types of operations are rare and that the risks to Canada’s grain quality assurance system of exempting these types of operations are low.

  • The Canadian Grain Commission will exempt producer railway car loading facilities from the licensing requirements of the Canada Grain Act by annual order. Feed mills and agents will continue to be exempt from licensing by regulation.

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Contacts

Rémi Gosselin
Head of communications
Canadian Grain Commission
204-983-2749

remi.gosselin@grainscanada.gc.ca

Canadian Grain Commission

The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada’s grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The Canadian Grain Commission regulates the grain industry to protect producers’ rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.

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