Declaration of Eligibility Changes Coming for 2022-23

Grain delivery declarations of eligibility will be required across the country with the start of the 2022-23 crop year - but only for those grains subject to variety registration based on quality considerations. 

The declaration requirement will begin July 1 in eastern Canada, and Aug.1 in Western Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission said in a release Wednesday. 

Previously, the declaration of eligibility requirement applied to all grains regulated by virtue of the Canada Grain Act and only applied to Western Canada. 

Declarations are a way to assure the dependability and quality of grain at entry into the Canadian licensed grain handling system. They support Canada’s commitment to allow US-grown grain to receive an official grade under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the release said. The declaration form confirms that the variety delivered, bought, and sold is eligible for the kind of grain and class. 

“The declaration supports Canada’s quality assurance system while meeting our commitments under CUSMA,” said Doug Chorney, Chief Commissioner, Canadian Grain Commission.  “We’ve simplified the declaration requirement to only apply to those grains where registration includes quality factors. This is a more flexible approach that better responds to the needs of the Canadian grain sector.”   

American producers who deliver grain in Canada have the same obligations as Canadian producers and will also be required to sign the declaration of eligibility. 

The Canadian Grain Commission implemented the declaration of eligibility form for the 2020-21 crop year in Western Canada. But because delivery declarations had not previously been used in eastern Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission granted exemptions from the declaration requirement in eastern Canada for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 crop years.