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MGGA announces rail rate mediation for producersMontana The Montana Grain Growers Association announced Oct. 15 the creation of a formal mediation and arbitration process that will give Montana wheat and barley producers the means for simple and effective resolution of disputes involving rail freight charges for grain shipped by BNSF Railway. Meetings between Montana farm membership organizations and representatives of BNSF Railway have been ongoing in recent months resulting in an agreement on the principles and parameters of arbitration. MGGA president Will Roehm praised the agreement as a long-awaited breakthrough. "For many years, we have tried to find a forum to address the freight rates paid by our farmers," he said. "This agreement will allow growers to initiate rail rate complaints, provide mediation of a disputed rate as a first step and, if necessary, provide for a panel of arbitrators to hear the case and to issue a binding judgment." Roehm went on to say, "We are very grateful to all who have worked on freight rate issues over the years, but would like to offer special thanks to Senator Max Baucus, Senator Jon Tester, and Congressman Dennis Rehberg for their dedication to a reasonable resolution." MGGA vice-president Bing Von Bergen added, "Our members will have the opportunity to discuss this at our upcoming listening sessions and at our annual convention in Great Falls on Dec. 3 and 4. BNSF Railway is sincere in their willingness to commit to this process and long-term accountability by all parties is our common goal." The Montana Grain Growers Association is the primary trade organization representing Montana wheat and barley producers who, by combining their strengths, voices, and ideas, are working to insure a better future for themselves, their industry and the consumer. 10/27/08 Date: 10/22/08
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