Minister MacAulay Announces Renewal of the Crop Logistics Working Group

OTTAWA, May 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Earlier today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, introduced legislation which includes measures to advance a long-term agenda for a more transparent, fair and efficient freight rail system. The bill addresses a number of priorities for the Western Canadian grain industry including reciprocal penalties, a definition of "adequate and suitable" rail service, maintaining and modernizing the Maximum Revenue Entitlement and a new Long-Haul Interswitching provision.

Building on these measures and in response to a request by the industry, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today announced the establishment of a fourth mandate for the Crop Logistics Working group, a forum of industry representatives who will exchange views and identify supply chain challenges and opportunities, including throughout the implementation of the Transportation 2030 freight rail initiatives. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will provide a government co-chair.

Minister MacAulay also announced that the Grain Monitoring Program will continue for an additional three years. The Grain Monitoring Program allows for independent monitoring and reporting on the performance of the Western grain handling and transportation system. Details on the program will be available soon.

Quote

"Today, the Government of Canada has introduced legislation that would strengthen Canada's rail transportation system, establishing a strong rail freight system for the future. Together with the renewal of the Crop Logistics Working Group and on-going monitoring of the transportation system, these measures would ensure Canadian farmers can continue to get their products to markets around the world quickly and efficiently, generating growth for the Canadian economy, putting more money in the pockets of farmers, and strengthening the middle class."
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick facts

• Western Canadian grain is a $20 billion industry.
• Over the past 10 years, half of all of Canadian grain production has been exported, averaging 41 million tonnes per year.
• The Crop Logistics Working Group consists of industry representatives from across the supply chain working together to improve the efficiency in how grains move from farm to customer, in Canada and around the globe.
• The Grain Monitoring Program was established in 2001 to provide stakeholders with assessments of Western Canadian grain handling and transportation in an independent, neutral, and timely manner.

Additional links

• Picking up steam: Growing Canada's economy with modernized Rail Transportation
• Government Responds to Grain Sector with Commitments for a more Balanced and Efficient Rail Freight System

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca