The Western Canadian Wheat Growers have made their submission to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s review of the Pest Control Products Act. Canada’s pesticide regulatory system is one of the most robust science-based regulatory systems in the world. Reviews of our regulatory systems should be done on a regular basis to ensure that the systems remain current and strong.

On August 4, 2021, the federal government paused a decision that put the science-based decision-making process on food security in jeopardy through political interference.

“We believe the Pest Control Products Act is fit for purpose and that added improvements and regulatory modernization can be achieved via updated guidance documents and internal policy implementation”

stated Gunter Jochum, President.

“We would support PMRA Program renewal with more transparent decision-making, more predictable risk assessment and the ability to bring in data earlier rather than modelling worst case scenarios. Science-based decisions must be the final recommendations, and not interfered with by politicians or bureaucrats”

continued Jim Wickett, Secretary-Treasurer.

“The establishment of independent external advisors to essentially oversee the work of the PMRA is foolhardy at best and dangerous at worst. Such proposed changes could have a dramatic impact over how pesticides will be reviewed and administered in Canada over a long period of time”

closed Daryl Fransoo, Chair.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

The post Wheat Growers announced a submission to the PMRA’s review of the Pest Control Products Act appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Gunter Jochum, President, said:

“The Canadian economy is facing a serious challenge. Adding a 50% increase in the carbon tax is a further hit to grain farmers’ bottom line and Canadian consumers’ food bills. Now is not the time to be to be adding to our household expenses. Our focus should be on the health and economic well-being of all Canadians.”

Carbon taxes start long before the farm gate and continue to add up all the way to port. Transportation, machinery manufacturers, input suppliers all add to the carbon tax cost and the farmer must fully bear it. Farmers, processors and truckers are working long and hard to ensure our food security, our government should not be adding to this burden.

“Rather than increasing the costs for consumers, the government should be doing everything necessary to ensure our transportation system stays operational. From our trucking system to rail and ports, we need to keep our grain moving both domestically and for export,”

stated Daryl Fransoo, Saskatchewan Director.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

The post Western Canadian Wheat Growers calls for the cancellation of Federal Carbon Tax Implementation appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“Our global markets depend on the timely shipping of our products. It is imperative that we are able to meet our contractual obligations,” said Gunter Jochum, President.

The loss of two weeks of shipping time cannot be made up and it will take time to fill the backlog of cargo ships that are waiting in Vancouver. CN Rail needs to use all available rolling stock and personnel to maximize the movement of grain. Farmers do not receive payment for their crop until the shipment is complete. Bills need to be paid and it has already been a long harvest.

“While we’re grateful that the parties have come to an agreement, the Federal Government needs to take steps to ensure that grain farmers are not held ransom in the future. Rail service should be deemed an essential service” closed Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, Saskatchewan Director.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

The post CN Rail and Teamsters make an agreement appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“When farmer’s grain doesn’t move to market, farmers don’t get paid. After this year’s difficult harvest, the last thing we need is a work stoppage that halts the movement of grain on the CN lines,” said Gunter Jochum, President.

Farmers are dependent upon the duopoly rail system in Canada. When CN and/or CP rail goes on strike, we don’t have an alternate transportation option. Grain farmers need the rail lines to maintain their shipping capacity in order to remain competitive globally.

When the rail lines fail to meet the ongoing capacity needs for grain movement, the government should entertain private options that minimizes the chance of this type of action happening in the future.

Further reducing rail capacity through the mothballing of equipment makes it harder to ramp up after a shut down like this or a serious weather event.

Increased inter-switching and joint running rights are seen as a mechanism to increase the competitive options including the movement of grain south, avoiding the strike actions that regularly plague the west coast.

“The federal government needs to be very clear with CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference – the Canadian economy cannot afford any further slowdowns or disruptions. Work out an agreement or the federal government will impose a settlement,” closed Jochum.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

The post Wheat growers call on Federal Government to order CN Rail back to work appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.