Unloading
When a producer’s grain arrives at a licensed terminal elevator, it will be sampled, inspected and/or weighed in a manner authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission either by:
- the terminal elevator operator, or
- a third-party service provider authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission and chosen by the terminal elevator operator (third-party service providers are used only if requested by the producer or administrator)
The Canadian Grain Commission inspects, tests and approves inward automatic sampler and delivery systems used for receiving grain at licensed terminal elevators. The Canadian Grain Commission has assumed an oversight role in the operation of these inward sampling systems to ensure compliance with the Sampling Systems Handbook and Approval Guide. All samples taken as part of an inspection on the inward receipt of grain must be taken in accordance with this guide.
Infested grain
All producer railway cars are inspected by a terminal elevator operator or third-party service provider upon receipt at the licensed terminal elevator. If an insect infestation is discovered at unload, the Canadian Grain Commission is notified of the infestation details. The associated sample is forwarded to the Canadian Grain Commission to verify the identity of the insects. The Canadian Grain Commission then works with the terminal elevator operator to manage the infestation at the terminal elevator.
If the insects found are injurious, noxious or troublesome to the grain’s integrity, the grain is considered infested.
Costs of fumigation
If infested grain is commingled with other grain, industry policy dictates that the producer is accountable for the total costs of fumigation of all affected grain.
Producers should check their grain for the presence of insect pests prior to shipping it in producer railway cars. Samples should be sieved using standard No. 4.5 round hole or No. 10 mesh sieves and any material that falls through carefully examined. To identify insects or for information on strategies to control insect pests in stored grain, please see Managing stored grain.
Contaminated grain
Under the Canada Grain Act, a licensed grain handling facility cannot receive grain that is contaminated and may refuse to accept delivery of any grain that is believed to be contaminated. The Canada Grain Act also prohibits delivery of grain that is contaminated.
Under the Canada Grain Act, contaminated means grain that contains “any substance in sufficient quantity that the grain is unfit for consumption by persons and animals or is adulterated within the meaning of the regulations made pursuant to paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Food and Drugs Act.”
Any delays caused by contaminated grain can result in additional cost to the producer. Extra charges, such as storage charges or costs related to potential contamination of other grain in the facility could be passed on to the producer, if traceable.
Failure to meet authorized shipment
If the producer’s grain at unload does not match what was authorized for shipment, the producer may experience delays in the allocation of any subsequent cars and may incur additional charges at the terminal (such as storage charges and demurrage).
Damp grain and off-grades
Shipments of damp grain, off-grades (which includes grain with excreta) or grain that is likely to go out of condition will be authorized only if a licensed terminal elevator has agreed to unload the grain.
Requesting reinspection
If a producer is not satisfied with the grade, protein, moisture or dockage assigned to their grain during inward inspection of a railway car at a licensed terminal elevator, the producer has the right to request binding determination of grade and dockage by the Canadian Grain Commission.
A producer must request a reinspection within 5 calendar days after the date of the original inspection. The producer (or the administrator) must:
- complete the Inward Reinspection Application form I-136 (PDF, 98 kb)
- submit the application by email or fax to both the Canadian Grain Commission
(email: reinspection@grainscanada.gc.ca or fax: 204-983-7550) and the receiving licensed terminal elevator within the 5-day period
Upon receipt of the Inward Reinspection Application and the representative sample provided by the receiving licensed terminal elevator, the Chief Grain Inspector for Canada will inspect the sample and issue an Inward Reinspection Certificate to both parties involved in the disagreement. If the grade assigned to the grain is different from the grade previously assigned, the Chief Grain Inspector for Canada will require all inspection certificates and other documents relating to the grain to be revised accordingly. Final determination rests with the office of the Chief Grain Inspector for Canada.