Grains and Oilseeds Committee

Federal and Provincial Safety Nets, Crop Insurance and emerging issues

The 2011-2012 Grains and Oilseeds Committee is made up of the following APAS Board Members and Representatives:

 

If you have specific issues or concerns you would like to address with the committee members, please use the CONTACT US link above and include "Grains and Oilseeds Committee" in the subject line.

 

 

Grains and Oilseeds Committee

February 19, 2009 Meeting Minutes

Present:  Greg Marshall, Darren McLeod, Garth Burns, Brady Nelson, Merv Kryzanowski, Adam Harnett, and Nial Kuyek

 

Committee Restructuring/Committee Issue Areas

General Manager Nial Kuyek commented on the rationale for the restructuring of the Committees and the issue areas that had been identified for the Grains and Oilseeds Committee.  He noted that the APAS Committee would parallel the Grains and Oilseeds recently established within CFA.

 

Election of Committee Chair

Greg Marshall was elected Chair and Garth Burns as Vice Chair of the Grains and Oilseeds Committee for 2009.

 

CFA Grains and Oilseeds Committee

Greg Marshall, who is Co-chair of this national committee, reviewed the terms of reference of the Committee and the agenda and discussion of its next meeting.

 

Grains Innovation Round Table

Greg Marshall reported on participation in the first meeting of the Round Table.  He noted that participants are being split into five subcommittees – regulations, communications, trade, research, and processing.

 

On Farm Food Safety Management Committee

Greg Marshall reported on participation in this meeting.  He noted that the focus in on grains and oilseeds and developing voluntary audit and traceability programs.  Excel Grains Canada has been formed to play the administrative and inspection role.  APAS has participated to minimize costs and maximize returns to producers.  A future question is which farm organization(s) should be on the Board of Directors of Excel.

 

M/S  Burns/Kryzanowski  That APAS discuss with KAP, WRAP, and CFA the need for prairie general farm organization representation on the Board of Directors of Excel and that APAS is prepared to play that role.  Regardless of who is on the Board, there needs to be effective communications between general farm organizations.

Carried

 

Producer Payment Security Mechanisms

Greg Marshall reported on the study being initiated by APAS and other partners to examine alternatives including bonding for producer payment security mechanisms.

 

 

Grain Transportation

The committee discussed the 2007-2008 overpayment as well as the service and costing reviews.

 

M/S  Burns/Kryzanowski  That the Grains and Oilseeds Committee endorse the call by APAS for return of the overpayment of 2007-2008 to producers.

Carried

 

CFA Views on EU/Canada Free Trade Agreement

The Committee reviewed this CFA document to provide CFA with feedback.

 

M/S  Burns/Nelson  That APAS support the position of CFA relative to the protection of  State Trading Enterprises in negotiations of the EU/Canada FTA.

Carried

 

Canadian Wheat Board

The General Manager reported on participation in a conference call between western farm organizations and the CWB President/CEO and Board Chair relative to 2007-2008 results.

 

Canadian Grain Commission

The Committee reviewed the attached February 17, 2009 letter from the Chief Commissioner relative to the transition away from on-site inspection services on the Prairies.

 

Oats Industry

Garth Burns noted that the oats industry is not represented on the Grains Standards Committee.  Mr. Burns questioned whether or not APAS should offer to represent their interests on the Committee.  It was agreed that Garth should discuss with Gordon Trenhom of the Prairie Oats Growers and report back to the APAS Board.