The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is reviewing exemptions on licensing in the grain sector.

The CGC is in the midst of consultations on proposals to create a subclass of primary elevator licenses that would apply to producer car loading facilities. Under such a license, these facilities -- which are currently exempt from licensing -- would be required to record the type and weight of grain being shipped, among other responsibilities.

CGC corporate information services manager Rémi Gosselin says their main reason for proposing these licenses is to better monitor the quality of grain shipped from these facilities.

"In terms of impact, I mean the grain industry would benefit from a safe-guarded grain quality assurance system," he says, adding that exemptions for agents and feed mills are also being examined.

Gosselin says in recent years, producer car loading facilities have grown and increased, and in some cases are businesses that operate similarly to licensed elevators. He thinks the new subclass of license would provide more consistency for producers delivering to these facilities, without having too much added workload on the operators.

"There wouldn't be any financial reporting, like what currently occurs with other facilities," he says. "The real reason we're proposing to license these facilities is to be able to collect and publish data on the movement of grain from producer car loading facilities to ensure the equipment is properly maintained, so the sampling and weighing equipment, and just have the ability to monitor quality of grain when it's shipped from these facilities."

The CGC is seeking input from producers, industry, and stakeholders until June 3. More information on the proposals can be found on the CGC website.