APAS says we need to take a look at Canada's supply chain

The President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) Ian Boxall says we need to take a look at Canada's Supply Chain. 

The comment came after news that the Grains Workers Union Local 333 had issued a 72 hour strike notice to  the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association (VTEA).

Members of the Grains Workers Union Local 333 were on the picket line at 7 am Pacific Time today at the Port of Vancouver.

Federal Labor Minister Steven Mackinnon says at his request both sides have agreed to resume negotiations alongside federal mediators.

The VTEA represents Viterra's Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, the G3 Vancouver Terminal and Alliance Grain Terminal.

Data from the Canadian Grain Commission indicates that this work stoppage will result in a loss of $35 million a day in potential exports.

Boxall says we just dealt with a major work stoppage on the railway and now with this situation at the Port, once again farmers are being caught in the middle.

"If we can't load ships, the terminals are full and the rail cars will get backed up in route from here to Vancouver. They'll get backed up and then the country elevators here at home will get full, then we can't deliver our grain, which then we can't get paid. So it has a huge effect on producers, that's for sure."

He notes it's time that Canada takes a look at the supply chain.

"Canada's reliant on the Port of Vancouver, on proper rail service, on all of those things, and it seems like every time we turn around we have an issue with our supply chain. Its time that the supply chain was looked at. I don't know how we fix it, but it's time that something was done to ensure that we have, you know an undisrupted supply chain both for people exporting products like myself and farmers in Saskatchewan or people buying products as well."

Kyle Larkin, executive director with the Grain Growers of Canada says 52 per cent of all grain produced in Canada is shipped through the Port of Vancouver.

"This is going to have an impact of $35 million a day in exports, because we won't be able to ship the 100,000 cubic metric tonnes that the Port of Vancouver receives on a daily basis by rail of grain."