Canadian farmers generally support the Canadian Grain Commission and its quality assurance system, according to the preliminary results of a survey of 500 producers from across Canada.

“I think it’s 94 per cent of them feel that the CGC’s quality assurance system helps uphold Canada’s reputation for consistent and reliable grain quality,” said agency spokesman Remi Gosselin. “And also 89 per cent agreed the CGC’s quality assurance system served them well.”

Almost 70 per cent of producers consider boosting CGC fees to $1.80 a tonne from 70 cents reasonable, he said.

But farmers are asking whether the agency can be more efficient.

“From our perspective we have done a lot over the years to maintain our services in a cost effective way within our current fee structure, but it’s not sustainable,” Gosselin said.

Some farmers wonder if the private sector can do it cheaper, while others question the need for certain services provided by the agency.

Gosselin noted some fees aren’t even close to covering the cost – it costs $105 to grade a submitted sample, but the fee is only $20.

However, the agency proposes to cut its registration and cancellation fees, levied when grain first arrives at a terminal. It only costs $400,000 to provide the service, but brings in $4 million. [email protected]