(Reuters circulated the following story on October 29.)
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Canada’s three largest grain companies have moved to intervene in a service complaint made by the Canadian Wheat Board and small grain shippers against Canadian National Railway.
On Friday, Viterra, James Richardson International Ltd and Cargill Ltd each filed requests for intervenor status in a case being heard by the Canadian Transportation Agency. The regulator is slated to rule by Jan. 19.
The CWB and the small shippers have said that some CN rail car booking programs unfairly favor large grain shippers. CN has said its programs are fair.
The three large shippers, which together account for 83 to 84 percent of the country’s grain handling, said they do not agree with the remedies proposed by the small shippers.
Viterra, which accounts for 42 percent of grain handling, said the advance booking programs help shippers plan and execute sales, lower their costs, and reduce congestion at the Pacific export port of Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Viterra believes measures that encourage greater use of full unit trains should be endorsed and supported, not restricted or eliminated,” said Fran Malecha, chief operating officer, in a submission to the agency.
JRI said it is not getting enough rail cars from CN, but it does not support limits on CN’s advance programs proposed by the small shipments.
Cargill said the remedies proposed by the small shippers could make the system less efficient.