Canadians Must Only Deliver Eligible Varieties

WINNIPEG - Nov 18/04 - SNS -- The Canadian grain industry is reminding western Canadian wheat producers to only deliver eligible varieties of milling wheat.

"It is very important that Canada's wheat industry and the economic interests of farmers are protected," said Wade Sobkowich, executive coordinator of the Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), a member of the group. "Ensuring only eligible varieties are delivered is an important step in protecting our grain handling system from needless expense and lost reputation."

Because milling wheat buyers have very strict quality requirements, delivery of ineligible varieties can have an enormous impact on the grain handling system. A single contaminated grain bin at a large Prairie elevator can cost the system - and farmers - as much as $400,000. Problems not detected until a ship is loaded could cost millions.

In addition to the campaign the CWB and handling agents continue to add measures to address ineligible varieties. These measures include variety declarations, retention of grain samples and testing of samples.

The Canadian Grain Commission maintains a list of wheat varieties eligible for delivery into each wheat class. Ineligible varieties are either varieties that have not been registered in Canada, or are not eligible for delivery into the wheat class for which payment is being requested. For example, a registered variety of CPSR wheat is ineligible for delivery as CWRS wheat.