(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Export Insurance

Export insurance and code of practice receive $1.2 million

Feb 12, 2020 | 5:48 PM

The groups that speaks for Canada’s crops sector will receive federal funding to develop an insurance plan against the unpredictability of export customers.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the Canada Grains Council (CGC) will receive over $430,000 to develop a pilot insurance product for grain exporters to address the risks they face of having their shipments rejected at the border of the importing country.

“Canadian grains are in demand around the world because of their quality, nutrition, innovation and value,” Bibeau said in a news release. “The funding demonstrates the federal government’s ongoing commitment to advancing the grains and oilseed sectors. These investments address two key issues facing the sector: better risk management tools and market readiness.”

Bibeau said the government wants to ensure grain farmers are protected against the unpredictability of the international market and the risks of regulatory trade barriers, particularly around input residues on seeds.

CGC President Tyler Bjornson said his group will also receive roughly $780,000 to develop a Code of Practice for farm production of Canadian grains. He said despite Canada’s solid reputation worldwide as a high quality and trustworthy provider of grain and oilseed products, this cannot be taken for granted.

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“Exploring new ways to help producers and industry address market access risks, as well as maintain consumer confidence that we are doing the right things to produce sustainable and safe food are an essential part of our long-term strategy as a sector,” Bjornson said in the same release.

The new codes are voluntary and led by farmers. They will help farmers encode the best practices to follow to be considered sustainable, for both market and public trust purposes. The codes will cover a range of topics, including fertilizer management, pesticide use, soil management, farm workers and protection of wildlife habitat, as well as food safety and work safety. The codes will confirm the confidence shared by consumers around the world that Canadian grains are made to the highest standards of quality.

Grain Growers of Canada chair Jeff Nielsen welcomed the funding but he took the opportunity to ask for immediate action in the form of a full exemption for fuel used on Canadian farms from the carbon tax.

“This will not be the last time where farmers face a tough harvest. We need a legislative and regulatory environment that reflects contributions that Canadian farmers have and continue to make towards the climate solution while ensuring a sustainable future for this important industry,” Nielsen said.

Bibeau made the funding announcement today at CropConnect in Winnipeg.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF