OTTAWA, Ont. — A report on Canada’s Grain Handling and Transportation System shows federal reforms have cut costs for producers.

The recently-released Grain Monitor Report shows policy reforms have decreased the cost of handling and transportation, says Transport Minister David Collenette.

The savings were largely due to improvements made in the Wheat Board’s tendering program, according to Canadian Wheat Board minister Ralph Goodale.

“This year, the report identified that $40.9 million in savings from the 2001-2002 crop year was passed on to producers after improvements were made to the board’s tendering program,” Goodale says.

Federal reforms to the Grain Handling and Transportation System were introduced in May 2000. They included a commitment to provide for an independent third-party monitoring program. In June 2001, the Quorum Corporation was hired to provide quarterly and annual reports to track changes in the structure of the grain handling and transportation industry.