The review has been stalled by the Covid pandemic.Ottawa—The federal government is finally launching the consultation phase of the Canada Grain Act review it started in March 2019. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says it will be conducted online until the end of April.The government wants to hear the views of the grain sector on how to update Act, which has largely been unchanged since the 1970s, she said. It will study the suggestions and recommendations of the sector to determine what changes to the Act may be needed. “We will help shape an innovative and modern regulatory system that safeguards grain farmers, grows Canada's reputation for grain quality and helps our grain industry compete with the world.”Erin Gowriluk, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada, said GGC “is pleased to see that the Review is finally underway. We, along with our members, have been working towards modernization of the Act for years now and we look forward to having the opportunity to provide feedback through this consultation process. We hope that this Review will finally be what takes this across the finish line!”Crosby Devitt, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario, said, “The Canadian Grain Act is important legislation and GFO looks forward to working with our fellow provincial grain and national grain organizations to ensure that the regulations reflect the needs of our farmer-members and support the Canadian food system appropriately.”The plan in 2019 was to gather the sector's views on reforming the Act and make a summary of them public in March 2020 but that intention was disrupted by the Covid pandemic. Legislation to overhaul the 1971 Act was introduced by the Harper government but wasn't passed before the August 2015 election was called.Jim Carr, who has returned to the cabinet as the special representative for the Prairies after stepping down to fight cancer, said, “The marketplace for grain has greatly evolved over the past half century, and now is the time for the Canada Grain Act to reflect that evolution. I encourage all those with a stake in Canada's grain industry to make their voices heard as part of this consultation.”The Act spells out the role of the Canadian Grain Commission in overseeing grain quality and handling, inspection, weighing, safety and research as well as payment protection. Canadian grain production has increased significantly over the past decade. Canadian grain production was 93 million metric tonnes in 2020, compared to 69 million metric tonnes in 2010. The volume of Canadian grain deliveries to licensed facilities was 62 million metric tonnes in 2019-20, compared to 40 million metric tonnes in 2009-10. Exports from licensed grain elevators totaled 44.3 million metric tonnes in the 2019-20 crop year, compared to 30.8 million metric tonnes in the 2009-10 crop year.Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.