Regina, October 4, 2023 – Leaders from four farm groups, including the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), SaskCanola, Sask Wheat and SaskBarley, have penned a letter to Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister, urging the Government of Saskatchewan to conduct a thorough risk assessment concerning the proposed merger of Bunge and Viterra, which is currently under review by Transport Canada and Competition Bureau Canada.
In the letter, the leaders commended the government’s past efforts, specifically referencing the assessments conducted in 2010 for the proposed merger of BHP Billiton and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, as well as the 2012 examination of the Glencore-Viterra merger. The four organizations strongly advocate for a similarly rigorous approach for the present proposal.
To provide guidance for this critical assessment, the groups proposed six key areas for consideration:
As the 2023 harvest season approaches its conclusion, concerns within the province have become evident. A survey released by RealAgriculture on September 20 showed that 79 percent of western farmers expressed concern about the proposed merger, with Saskatchewan farmers expressing the highest level of concern.
The leaders emphasized the importance of creating a structured process for engaging with the farm community and listening to their concerns, describing it as both a valuable and timely undertaking. The group believes such an effort would be greatly appreciated by farmers and would contribute significantly to informed decision-making.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ryan McNally, APAS Communications Manager | 306-789-5176 | communications@apas.ca
Ellen Grueter, SaskCanola Communications Manager | 306-975-0262 | egrueter@saskcanola.com
Cole Christensen, SaskBarley Communications Manager | 306-250-1099 | cole@saskbarley.com