The boards of directors for Cereals Canada and the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) have agreed to explore a possible “integration” of the two grain industry organizations.
A working group, made up of directors from both boards, has been formed to examine how the two entities could work more closely together.
The mandate of this group is “to look at the pros and cons of a closer working relationship or an integration between Cereals Canada and Cigi,” says Cigi CEO JoAnne Buth.
“This is really an early stage of looking at the questions of: are there strategic benefits, or information-sharing benefits from a closer integration between Cereals Canada and Cigi? We’re at the very, very early stages in looking at those questions. We don’t really have any answers yet,” stresses Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada.
While Cigi specializes in technical expertise regarding the use of Canadian field crops, Cereals Canada is more focused on policy and lobbying. Both organizations share a market development mandate, and already work closely together on many files and projects.
Both Dahl and Buth are using the word “integration” to describe the scenario that’s being considered, emphasizing what that would look like in a potential proposal has not yet been determined.
If the committee decides to recommend a change, it would be presented to both boards, who would then consult with members and stakeholders.
“A decision isn’t made by the board in terms of any type of amalgamation at all. It’s made by the members, and at some point this information will become public so the members can have the discussion,” says Buth. “The board hasn’t even made that decision as to whether or not it would take anything to the membership. We’re really early in the process.”
As of Friday, the new committee had only met once.
(We first reported on “integration” conversations taking place between Cigi and Cereals Canada last summer. Read/listen to that piece, which dives into some of the reasons for this discussion, here.)
Listen to JoAnne Buth and Cam Dahl discuss the creation of this working group and the reasons for exploring a closer relationship between Cigi and Cereals Canada:
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