The western producer november 23, 2017

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

NEW COLUMN |

VOL. 95 | NO. 47 | $4.25

NIKKI WIART OFFERS YOUNG PERSPECTIVE

P47

SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923

PREPPING FOR AGRIBITION

PULSES

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FARM GROUPS

Unhappiness with canola council prompts calls for restructuring

Minister slammed on Indian pea duty

BY ROBERT ARNASON & ED WHITE

BY SEAN PRATT

BRANDON AND WINNIPEG BUREAUS

SASKATOON NEWSROOM

SEE INDIAN PEA DUTY, PAGE 4

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The Canola Council of Canada, one of the largest agricultural industry associations in the country, is under pressure to adjust its priorities and get costs under control. Some are even calling for it to merge with other oilseed organizations. Ag industry leaders have told The Western Producer that oilseed crushers and grain elevator companies have become increasingly frustrated with the council, to the point that a couple of firms have contemplated leaving the organization. The elevators and crushers, who are members of the council, are unhappy with the amount of levies they pay each year and the return on their investment. “It is about members’ sense of value from the canola council,” said president Jim Everson. SEE CANOLA COUNCIL, PAGE 5

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u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv/:= NOVEMBER 23, 2017 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4

Robert Pineo of Weyburn, Sask., trims Shorthorns for Horseshoe Creek Farms Nov. 19 as he prepares animals for the Canadian Western Agribition show ring. SEE FULL AGRIBITION COVERAGE ONLINE AND IN NEXT WEEK’S EDITION. | WILLIAM DEKAY PHOTO

DEFERRED CASH PURCHASE TICKETS | FEDS ABANDON PLAN TO SCRAP PROGRAM | PAGE 65 Bacteria in biofuel

Grizzly alert

Its very nature makes biofuel susceptible to bacterial contamination. | Page 59

A rancher is charged for shooting a bear in Alberta. | Page 22

The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240

Ottawa has been far too silent about India suddenly slapping a 50 percent duty on pea imports, says a pulse crop analyst. Marlene Boersch, managing partner with Mercantile Consulting Venture, said federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has been conspicuously quiet about Canada being blocked out of its top yellow pea market. “Where the hell is our agriculture minister? Is he in existence? Does he know about this? Does he care?” she said. “I can’t believe he is not even on the surface.” She wonders how India can get away with slapping a hefty duty on product that was already in transit to India. “Normally in the trade that is not being done,” said Boersch. She said that is “hugely damaging” to exporters. “I know there is some cargo already rerouted to China that needs to be sold. That’s a very ugly situation.” A spokesperson for minister MacAulay said the government is fully aware of the issue and actively working on a resolution. “Our government is deeply concerned and disappointed with the recent regulatory and tariff decisions made by the government of India, affecting Canadian pulse trade,” Oliver Anderson said in an email. Trade minister Francois-Philipe Champagne recently led a trade mission to India where the tariff issue was “raised at every opportunity” with Indian officials.


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