Deadline for lockout set by Canada's major railways expires just after midnight tonight, and the reality of what that means to the agriculture sector is settling in.
Time runs out for a negotiated settlement for Canada’s railway labour dispute
Fertilizer Canada calls for federal interference in rail dispute
A work stoppage would cost fertilizer sector $55-63 million in lost sales a day, Fertilizer Canada estimates
Fertilizer Canada, and many other farm organizations in Canada, are calling for binding arbitration to stop both strike action and lockouts.
Labour board ruling opens door to rail strike
Reading Time: 2 minutes Workers at Canada’s two major railways could be on strike as early as Aug. 22 following a decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) issued Aug. 9 on the safety implications of a stoppage.
Rail strike still looms as holdup stretches on
Grain industry says delaying what appears to be an inevitable strike isn’t helpful
Reading Time: 3 minutes Teamsters voted to strike in May, but labour action is still in gridlock as both sides wait for Canadian Industrial Relations Board decision.
Railways weather few winter woes
Grain shipments on track despite January cold blast
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – At the midway point of the 2023–24 shipping year, grain shipments are moving at a good clip. “In the last 12 to 18 months, we’ve seen some really good performance from both of the railroads,” said Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corporation, Canada’s grain monitor. “The exception was the last four or […] Read more
Spring road restrictions coming soon to Prairies
Grain, equipment movement can be affected by road bans
The spring melt across Western Canada will cause disruptions to grain and livestock movement, as seasonal spring road restrictions come into effect across the Prairies.
Transport Canada to review Bunge-Viterra marriage plans
Competition Bureau also to probe proposed deal
Canada’s federal transport department will conduct its own review of U.S. grain giant Bunge’s plans to buy and merge with Viterra — with an eye particularly on both companies’ stakes in Canadian port terminals. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced Tuesday that his department will review the deal under the mergers and acquisitions provisions of the […] Read more
Romania, Ukraine to work on grain import-export licensing system
Three other EU countries have bans in place
Bucharest | Reuters — Romania will work with Ukraine over the next 30 days on a grain export control plan that will help protect Romanian farmers, Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu said on Wednesday. Romania is among five eastern European Union countries along with Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia that saw a surge of Ukrainian grain […] Read more
Farm trade dispute creates rift between Ukraine and its allies
Ukraine sues three EU member states at WTO
Brussels/Kyiv | Reuters — A dispute over agricultural trade created a rift on Monday between Ukraine and some of its strongest allies in the European Union after three member states imposed unilateral measures to restrict imports from the war-torn country. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on imports on Friday after the European Commission decided […] Read more
EU ag commissioner pushes for extension of Ukraine grain import ban
Restrictions due to expire Friday
Brussels/Bucharest | Reuters — The EU agriculture commissioner said on Tuesday said he believes the European Commission should extend a temporary ban on Ukraine imports into five neighouring EU states, as the measure helped boost exports outside the bloc. Ukraine has become entirely dependent on alternative European Union routes, called Solidarity Lanes, for its grain […] Read more