JRI SWP Battle Separation Order

TORONTO - Nov 14/05 - SNS -- The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc. (SWP) and James Richardson International Limited (JRI) will fight a Commissioner of Competition application to force them to end their joint venture in the port of Vancouver.

The Commissioner of Competition has applied for an order from the federal Competition Tribunal to dissolve the joint venture between the Pool and JRI. The two companies will continue operating the joint venture, named Pacific Gateway Terminals Limited (PGTL), during the ongoing proceedings.

"Our joint venture is creating operating efficiencies that help everyone from farmers, to rail, to port and end-use customers. Throughout the ongoing proceedings, we will make every effort to find a positive solution to resolve this matter," said Fran Malecha, Senior Vice-President, Grain Group, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc., and PGTL Chair.

The Pool and JRI began operation of PGTL on July 11, 2005. The Competition Bureau filed an application with the Competition Tribunal challenging the joint venture under Section 92 of the Competition Act, alleging that the joint venture has or is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in the Port of Vancouver.