AAFC News Release
May 22, 2012

Marketing Freedom Train on Track to Boost Research and Innovation

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today that a new producer check-off will be set up to support vital research, market development and technical assistance for the western Canadian grain industry. The draft regulations, to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, this week, will name the Alberta Barley Commission as the administrator of the new check-off.

“With the global economy still very fragile, strengthening Canada’s economy continues to be our Government’s primary concern,” said Minister Ritz. “The check-off will help the western grain industry to grow, increase profitability at the farm gate, and create a bright future for the Canadian economy.”

The Alberta Barley Commission was proposed as the prescribed agency after much consultation with the industry. The Commission was best prepared to take on the role of administrator, having successfully administered the Alberta barley check-off since 1991.

These regulations are scheduled to be in place for August 1, 2012, the start of the new crop year. The Government intends for Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), the Canadian International Grains Institute, and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre to continue to receive the same level of funding they received through the previous arrangement.
As outlined in the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, the proposed check-off funds can be used for:

The check-off will remain voluntary and will be in place for the upcoming harvest. The check-off will be done at point of sale and will appear as a deduction on producers’ cash purchase tickets when they deliver grain. This will be done in a manner that is fully transparent so that farmers can see the full amount of their support to grain research. It will not however apply to imports, producer-to-producer sales, and feed and exports not delivered through licensed facilities.

The proposed check-off regulations are available on the Canada Gazette website and will be published in print in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on May 26, 2012. The current check-off for the WGRF funding will continue for the 2011-12 crop year.

The Government of Canada’s top priority is the economy, and the agriculture industry plays an important role in creating jobs and keeping the economy strong. Canada is the world’s fifth-largest exporter of agriculture and food products, with last year’s exports hitting an all-time high of more than $40 billion.

Additional information on marketing freedom can be found at www.agr.gc.ca/freedom.

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