Canada: Strike in Vancouver port, grain exports blocked

Grain terminal workers at the Canadian port of Vancouver began a strike Tuesday, blocking half of Canada's grain exports, in the midst of harvest season. Negotiations for a new contract between the union, the Grain Workers Union, and the employer, the Vancouver Terminal Elevator Association, broke down last week.If the strike continues, the impact on exports from the country, the world's largest exporter of canola and the third largest of wheat, will be significant.The Grain Worker Union, which represents 650 employees - including those at Cargill, Richardson International and Veterra - accused management of "making very little effort in negotiations."Last year, 52% of all grain production in Canada passed through this Pacific coast port.The Canadian Grain Growers Association, which represents 65,000 farmers, has called on the government to intervene to end the strike, which threatens to have a "devastating impact on grain farms."Nearly 100,000 tonnes of Canadian grain arrive at these terminals da ily, the association said in a statement, and a shutdown would result in a loss of C$35 million (pound 23 million) in exports per day.The Canola Council of Canada also said it was "deeply concerned." Its executive director, Chris Davidson, said the strike comes at a time when the sector is "already facing significant challenges and headwinds."Source: Burkina Information Agency