StatsCan Refuses to Publish 2001 Crop Revisions

VANCOUVER - Sep 11/02 - STAT -- Statistics Canada officials have confirmed revisions to last year's specialty crop production have been available for an undetermined period of time, but the government agency so far refuses to publish updates until current crop production estimates are normally released.

The only specialty crop which has seen last year's production data updated is field peas. This took place in the August 23 crop report because it normally contains production estimates for that commodity. With the exception of field peas and Ontario buckwheat, specialty crop production data is not normally published until the final crop report of the year, due on December 5.

Sitting on such information is unimaginably irresponsible. Especially during a period of tight supplies on account of two year's of crop production problems. Without more accurate information, it is easier for unscrupulous market participants to skew data to their advantage -- lying to buyers about the shortages in the morning and lying to growers about surpluses in the afternoon.

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