Fertilizer Industry Urges Parliamentarians to Work Together to Pass Back-to-Work Legislation

OTTAWA, May 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) would like to thank the Federal Government for the back-to-work legislation tabled today, following the weekend stall in talks between the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR) and the Canadian members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC).

"Each day that CPR workers are off the job means lost exports and jobs for the fertilizer industry," said Roger Larson, President of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. "This disruption is escalating the real potential for layoffs and production shutdowns."

Currently, CFI member companies are facing the combination of tight inventory and strong global demand for all fertilizer products. The domestic, U.S. and offshore demand for Canadian fertilizer has been very high this spring and this trend is expected to continue. Our members currently have large unit trains of potash scheduled to move from western Canada to Vancouver for export offshore, as well as fertilizers scheduled to move domestically and cross-border to the important U.S. market. CFI members simply cannot afford the repercussions of a rail disruption.

The Canadian Fertilizer Institute is urging all political parties to work together quickly to ensure that the back-to-work legislation is passed and CPR workers can get back to work as soon as possible.

"Now is the time for all Parliamentarians to work together to ensure minimal damage is done to the Canadian economy and Canadian export industries in particular. If there are further delays with the Bill in Parliament, Canadian exporters will experience serious repercussions, as buyers in foreign markets can move to other sources of supply," said Larson.

The Canadian Fertilizer Institute is an industry association representing manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers.  Our mission is to be the unified voice of the Canadian fertilizer industry by promoting the responsible, sustainable and safe production, distribution and use of fertilizers.  Our industry employs 12,000 Canadians and contributes $12 billion annually to Canada's economy.  Our products contribute to the supply of safe, nutritious food in Canada and around the world.

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