How to request a Final Quality Determination
Following up on producer requests for Final Quality Determination
In response to producer concerns heard during the Canada Grain Act review consultations, the Canadian Grain Commission has developed an oversight strategy to better support producers at the point of sale and help ensure trust in the grain handling system. The strategy includes following up with the producer and the licensed primary elevator if the results of quality assessments by the Canadian Grain Commission and the elevator are different.
If you disagree with a licensed primary elevator’s assessment of your grain, you have the right to ask for a Final Quality Determination (formerly known as Subject to Inspector’s Grade and Dockage) from the Canadian Grain Commission.
You can request a Final Quality Determination of your grain’s official grade or any individual grading factor, including:
- moisture
- protein
- dockage
For example, if you would like a Canadian Grain Commission inspector to confirm your grain’s moisture, you can request a reassessment of only the moisture content. If you would like to confirm the assessment of multiple grading factors, you can request a reassessment of more than one.
An invoice for the Final Quality Determination fee will be sent to the primary elevator operator.
- See current and past fees for Inspection of submitted sample fee code 336, including Final Quality Determination
Eligibility for a Final Quality Determination
To be eligible for a Final Quality Determination, you must
- deliver one of the 21 grains regulated under the Canada Grain Act
- make your delivery to a licensed primary elevator
- request a Final Quality Determination within 7 calendar days from the time of your delivery
You do not need to be present at the time of delivery to request a Final Quality Determination.
This service was enhanced in September 2022 through changes to the Canada Grain Regulations. For more information about the changes, visit Enhancements to the grain grade dispute resolution process by the Canadian Grain Commission.
Grain sample needed for a Final Quality Determination
When you deliver grain to a licensed primary elevator, the elevator operator must take a representative sample of your grain that weighs at least 1 kg. The primary elevator operator will store the sample for 7 days after a primary elevator receipt is issued. However, if the elevator operator agrees, you may choose to store the sample yourself. The sample must be stored in a container that both you and the elevator operator agree will maintain the quality and integrity of the sample.
Ask for a Final Quality Determination
If you disagree with the elevator operator’s assessment of your grain’s quality, tell them you would like to send the representative sample of your grain to the Canadian Grain Commission for a Final Quality Determination. The primary elevator operator is responsible for sending your sample to the Canadian Grain Commission.
The primary elevator operator will:
- label the sample container “Final Quality Determination”
- complete the form to request the inspection
- send the completed form and the representative sample to the nearest Canadian Grain Commission service centre
The elevator operator may issue you an interim primary elevator receipt after you request a Final Quality Determination. If they do not, keep the primary elevator receipt you were issued when you delivered your grain.
Receiving your inspection results
Once the service centre receives your sample, a Canadian Grain Commission inspector will inspect the sample and determine the grade, dockage, moisture and/or protein. The Canadian Grain Commission will send a Submitted Sample Certificate with the results to both you and the primary elevator operator.
Once you receive the results, the primary elevator operator will exchange your primary elevator receipt for a new primary elevator receipt, cash purchase ticket or cheque that shows the Canadian Grain Commission inspection results. The Canadian Grain Commission will send an invoice for the cost of the service to the primary elevator at the end of the month.
Appealing grain inspection results
If you disagree with the results of the Final Quality Determination, you have the right to appeal the results. You must make your appeal within 15 days from the date on the Submitted Sample Certificate.
- Contact the Canadian Grain Commission service centre and ask that your sample be sent to the Chief Grain Inspector for Canada
- The Chief Grain Inspector for Canada will inspect your sample and provide a final decision
- Each person named in the request will receive a record of the decision
If the Chief Grain Inspector changes the grading results for your sample, both you and the primary elevator operator will receive a revised Submitted Sample Certificate.
Follow up from the Canadian Grain Commission
As part of our in-country presence strategy and to ensure fair transactions for producers, the Canadian Grain Commission has enhanced its internal process for samples submitted through Final Quality Determination. The Canadian Grain Commission will now contact producers to acquire the quality and grading information from the interim or primary elevator receipt. This information will be compared with the Canadian Grain Commission’s Submitted Sample Certificate. If discrepancies are found, the Canadian Grain Commission will contact the licensee to resolve the issues.
Related links
Contact us
- For more information about grain inspections, contact Industry Services.
- For more information about payment protection for grain producers, contact the Safeguards for Grain Farmers program.
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