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A group representing Saskatchewan farmers is in Ottawa this week, discussing the current grain backlog with the federal government.
Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), said many are hoping to get Bill C-49 —which regulates railways and how trains move crops — passed through the Senate to help get commodities moving faster.
“It’s still to be determined whether that’ll get through or not, but we’re certainly being well received at this point,” Lewis said.
He added many producers are getting nervous, thinking it will be a repeat of 2013 when farmers lost billions of dollars because there weren’t enough hopper cars to move their bumper crop harvest.
“Time is of the essence. There are bills to be paid and crops to be put in this spring, and cash flow is going to be an issue for a lot of producers,” explained Lewis.
“We need something brought forward to expedite our grain. That’s the point we’re at now and that’s what we’re putting forward to senators and MPs this week.”
Lewis added APAS met with Judy Sgro, federal transportation committee chair, Monday morning. He said more meetings are planned with other officials over the next few days.
