The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is taking unique steps to protect grain producers who have delivered to Ilta Grain Inc.

On July 8, 2019, British Columbia's Supreme Court placed ILTA Grain Inc. under creditor protection because of its financial difficulties. On July 11, 2019, the Canadian Grain Commission suspended all licences issued to ILTA Grain Inc.

"One of the key conditions of reinstating ILTA Grain Inc.'s licences is that ILTA is not allowed to purchase grain from producers," said CGC Chief Commissioner Patti Miller. "At the Canadian Grain Commission, we take producer protection seriously. We have taken several steps to protect the rights of producers who have delivered to ILTA Grain Inc. including visits by our auditors and inspectors to obtain information and documentation, starting the claims process, and negotiating an escrow agreement."

The commission has negotiated the creation of an escrow account into which funds will be placed that relates to grain deliveries for which no cheques have been issued. Producers may be compensated from this account.

The fund will be held by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the court-appointed monitor until it has been determined how the funds will be distributed. The commission is completing a final audit to establish the number and amount of eligible claims. To date, the Canadian Grain Commission has heard from more than 200 producers.

The Canadian Grain Commission will contact any producers who have reported payment issues.

Any producers who have not contacted the commission yet, but who delivered to Ilta Grain before July 11, 2019, and have not received payment, should immediately contact the Canadian Grain Commission at 1-800-853-6705.

To be eligible for a claim made under the Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program, a producer must:

- Deliver to a licensed grain company- Deliver one of the twenty grains regulated by the Canada Grain Act- Present the proper documents (a primary elevator receipt, a grain receipt, a cash purchase ticket or cheque)- Demand payment during eligibility periods- Report non-payment to the Canadian Grain Commission- As part of the negotiation of the escrow agreement, the Canadian Grain Commission reinstated ILTA Grain Inc.'s grain dealer and primary elevator licences effective August 7, 2019, with the condition that ILTA Grain Inc. cannot purchase grain from, receive grain from, or otherwise incur liabilities to grain producers. ILTA Grain Inc. may sell, remove or otherwise transfer grain or grain products held or stored at its facilities.