Western Standards Committee

Committee's role in grading system

The Canadian Grain Commission sets standards and specifications for grades of grain, but we do that based on recommendations from the Western Standards Committee. The committee makes recommendations based on careful study and review of grading issues.

The committee works to:

• Make sure changes to the grading system reflect the interests and concerns of all parts of Canada's grain sector.
• Constantly review Canada's grading system so that it continues to be relevant to the grain sector and to buyers of Canada's grain.

The committee meets twice a year: once in the fall following harvest and once in the spring before the new crop is planted. Its members include grain producers, processors, exporters and government representatives.

Activities

The committee:

• Gives the Canadian Grain Commission its recommendations on specifications and grain grades which are found in the Official Grain Grading Guide.
• Recommends standard samples to the Canadian Grain Commission. Elevator operators and Canadian Grain Commission inspectors use them to determine if a grain sample meets the minimum visual quality for a grade.
• Recommends that the Canadian Grain Commission begin or continue grading studies and projects. These include research into grading issues. The committee bases its grading recommendations, in part, on the outcome of grading studies.
• Participates in grading studies and projects.

Related links

• Eastern Standards Committee
• Standard samples as a grain grading tool
• Official Grain Grading Guide