Ceres Global Northgate - Knowingly Receiving Infested Grain

Order number 2024-31

Introduction:

  1. Paragraphs 57(d), 104(c) and 105(d) of the Canada Grain Act ("the Act") prohibit delivery and receipt of grain that is infested or that may reasonably be regarded as infested, without authorization of the Canadian Grain Commission (the "Commission").
  2. The Commission has authority under paragraph 118(d) of the Act to make orders concerning the treatment of infested grain.
  3. Ceres Global Ag Corp. (Ceres) owns and is licensed to operate a primary elevator in Northgate, Subsection 70.3(1) Saskatchewan.
  4. Ceres has applied to the Commission for authorization to receive grain that is known to be, suspected as or determined to be infested with stored product insect pests.
  5. With the support of the Commission personnel, Ceres has developed a Quarantine Bin and Fumigation Procedures manual, attached as Schedule "A", concerning the receipt and treatment of grain known to be, suspected as or determined to be infested with stored product insect pests.
  6. The Commission has reviewed the manual and believes it to be effective for the disinfestation of grain and maintaining the quality of grain.
  7. The decision in respect of this order was made at a meeting of quorum of the Commission on May 29, 2024. Two of three Commissioners constitutes a quorum of the Commission.

The Commission makes the following order:

  1. Ceres is authorized to receive grain known to be, suspected as or determined to be infested into its licensed primary elevator facilities at Northgate, Saskatchewan, and the delivery of such grain is also authorized, on the condition that the procedures set out in paragraph 2 are followed.
  2. Ceres will adhere to the following procedures in respect of grain known to be, suspected as or determined to be infested:
    1. All steps set out in the Quarantine Bin and Fumigations Procedures, attached as Schedule "A"; the Commission also reserves the right to review and provide recommendations for improvement to schedule "A" as required.
    2. Any grain that comes in contact with or is blended with grain known to be, suspected as or determined to be infested will be handled in accordance with the procedures attached as Schedule "A";
    3. Grain known to be, suspected as or determined to be infested will be received into and treated in bins that are suitable for disinfesting grain and located on the licensed elevator premises but separate from the main building and storage;
    4. Bins used to store and treat infested grain will be cleaned and treated upon discharge of grain treated for infestation;
    5. Grain will be treated for insect infestation only with products registered for use in Canada in accordance with applicable provincial legislation and regulations;
    6. All treated grain must be sampled and tested for infestation after treatment and prior to release of that grain into the main storage or for discharge from the facility;
    7. Ceres will report to the Commission any treated grain that is discovered to remain infested after treatment;
    8. Ceres will keep records of all incidents where grain is treated as being infested and provide such records to the Commission upon request; and
    9. Ceres will provide a report concerning the volume of grain received and treated pursuant to this order to the Commission quarterly for the duration of this order. In addition, the Commission may, at any time, implement an audit of the criteria set out in this order for determination concerning the effectiveness of the steps set out in Schedule "A".
  3. In the event that any one or more of the conditions set out in paragraph 2 of this order are not met, the Commission may at its discretion notify Ceres, in writing, and stipulate a reasonable period for compliance, or terminate this order.
  4. This order comes into effective on the later of the crop year commencing August 1, 2024, or the signing date, and is in effect until July 31, 2025, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms or revoked.

This order may be executed and delivered via facsimile or PDF and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this order to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.

David Hunt
Chief Commissioner

Patty Rosher
Assistant Chief Commissioner

Lonny McKague
Commissioner

Signed on: May 29, 2024