Canada: CWB certified in partnership against terrorism

The CWB, the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world, has become a certified partner in the fight against terrorism under a program administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, CWB announced on March 20.

The program, called Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), is designed to ensure that appropriate security measures are maintained in a documented and verifiable format throughout the international supply chain. The CWB's certification demonstrates a commitment to providing its international wheat and barley customers with unimpeded and efficient delivery of their grain.

"As a major Canadian exporter, it is important that we do our part in protecting against trade disruption due to the threat of terrorism," said CWB Chief Operation Officer Ward Weisensel. "It is also important to western Canadian farmers and their customers that grain shipments into or through the U.S. are not unduly delayed by border security measures.

"This certification also tells all our stakeholders worldwide that we have taken steps to ensure the safety of our exports. It's part of doing business in today's international marketplace and being viewed as a good trading partner with a secure supply chain."

A pre-existing CWB program called Quality First had introduced strict quality-control measures for wheat and barley shipments to the U.S., meaning CWB processes, controls and records were well within the parameters for the C-TPAT program.

"Our valued American customers can be assured that measures are taken to ensure that the grain they receive is not only safe, but of consistent high quality," Weisensel said.

For participating in the C-TPAT program, the CWB can access program benefits including a reduced number of cargo exams, anti-terrorism training and best-practice information sharing.

Food safety is an important issue for the agriculture industry around the world, Weisensel added. The CWB has taken an active role in food-safety initiatives within Canada and in cooperation with its international customers.

C-TPAT recognizes that a high level of cargo security can only be achieved with the cooperation of importers, carriers, brokers and producers or manufacturers. There are about 6,000 certified members worldwide, registered on a voluntary basis. A number of the CWB's Canadian grain-industry partners have received certification, including rail shippers and grain handlers.

To become certified, the CWB completed an extensive security profile. Requirements include close attention to security measures aimed at preventing unknown material from entering the supply chain. Other measures include facility security, access controls, information security, record-keeping and training. The CWB will be subjected to a detailed validation audit by U.S. Customs officials within the next two years.

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.

21 March, 2006