Education
Learn best practices for dispute prevention.
Mediation
Resolve disputes through our informal mediation process.
Arbitration
Learn step-by-step how to proceed with a claim.
The Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) is a non-profit, member-based organization whose core work is business-to-business private commercial dispute resolution. In other words, the DRC is a referee between parties when the purchase and sale do not go according to plan.
Our members are recognized as preferred buyers and vendors, resulting in improved business networking! You’ll also receive
- Access to our expansive member directory and up to date information on current and potential trading partners
- Greater commercial assurance
- One-on-one professional and confidential consultation
Visit our Membership page for additional benefits. All services are provided in English, French and Spanish
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came into force January 15, 2019.
In The News
A special message from Glenn Baty, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DRC
Reference to “interesting times” has likely never been more relevant than today. We are living in unprecedented times of a global nature and of the sort we have only read about in history. It is appropriate and important that I add to my annual report and acknowledge the recent events that have moved world into …
DRC Reveals New Logo
During his speaking notes at CHC Banquet Reception on March 11, 2020 Fred Webber, president of the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC), revealed new company logo. “It is extremely fitting we kick this off with you, as CHC was instrumental in bringing the DRC into being, including lending my predecessor, Stephen Whitney, to the effort. As …
SFCR – Licensing and Traceability
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) is currently in force with licensing and traceability requirements in effect for many businesses in the fresh fruits or vegetables (FFV) sector. On January 15, 2020, the preventive control and preventive control plan requirements will come into force for FFV businesses that hold a Safe Food for Canadians …
Blog Updates
ARBITRATION DECISION BRIEF: Timely and proper notice of inspection and temperature recorder recovery
Continuing with our series of articles summarizing past DRC arbitration decisions. We believe this will help members to better understand how the DRC Dispute Rules and Regulations (R&R) apply in the event of a dispute. DRC Dispute R&R state that all DRC arbitrations are private and confidential. As such, the names of all parties, including …
NORTH AMERICA TERMS or INCOTERMS®?
Our Trading Assistance Staff continue to see cases where North American buyers who import fresh produce from offshore growers or sellers, struggle understanding their responsibilities under the perceived “agreed” INCOTERMS®. North American buyers and sellers of fresh fruits and vegetables have adopted two main trade terms for their transactions within North America, FOB and DELIVERED …
DRC TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS
It is well known that transportation and related matters are complex and become even more so when the cargo is fresh fruits and vegetables. Even before factoring in cargo that is highly perishable and for human consumption, these complexities range from domestic Hours of Service regulations for transport drivers to a ship captain’s right to …
Membership Updates for May 17, 2021
Welcome New Members From April 15 until May 17, 2021, DRC welcomed the following new members: A1 IMPORTS INC. QC Canada AGROINDUSTRIAL SAN GERMAN SPA (También haciendo negocios como San German SPA) Elqui Chile ALIMSUR INC. QC Canada ANYE PRODUCE INC. CA United States BENITO PRODUCE CORP. ON Canada BOUCHERIE EL IHCÈNE QC Canada CITRUS …
ARBITRATION DECISION BRIEF: Whether the Respondent failed to provide in a timely manner a copy of the inspection certificate to the Claimant.
This is the third in a series of articles summarizing past DRC arbitration decisions. We believe this will help members to better understand how the DRC Dispute Rules (R&R) and Regulations apply in the event of a dispute. DRC Dispute R&R state that all DRC arbitrations are private and confidential. As such, the names of …
New and Potential DRC Members
Over the last few months DRC has experienced a surge of new members. This is positive and demonstrates that, even during these challenging times, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong. We are receiving all types of applications, which include applicants with little experience in the produce industry or lack of knowledge of rules and regulations that …
DRC TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS I
Just as the DRC Trading Standards set out the rights and responsibilities of buyers, brokers and sellers of fresh produce, the DRC Transportation Standards set out the fresh produce specific rights and responsibilities of trucks, transportation intermediaries, shippers, and receivers. For some time, the DRC Transportation Standards have been viewed as more of a “suggestion” …
Membership Updates for April 15, 2021
Welcome New Members From March 15 until April 15, 2021, DRC welcomed the following new members: 12618109 CANADA INC. AB Canada BDF INTERNATIONAL LTD. BC Canada CITY PRODUCE ON Canada CSM FRESH IMPORTS INC. (Also d/b/a CSM Fresh) ON Canada DALEY FARM FRESH PRODUCE INC. (Also d/b/a Daley’s Trucking) ON Canada EPSILON-IT EPSILON-INTEGRA-TRADE LTD. (Also …
Non-member access to member portal
Did you know that while most of the information posted on DRC Member Portal is reserved for members only, you don’t have to be a member to use some of the features the portal has to offer? To start you’ll need to go to Member Login section and register a new account. Once logged in, …
Do you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence or DRC membership to export produce from Canada?
Let’s start with the easy part, a DRC membership. According to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), Canadian exporters are required to have a DRC membership unless excepted, mainly because you ship produce you have grown yourself or are shipping less than one metric ton a day. There are a couple of other exceptions, but there …
COVID 19 and Payment Terms
There is little question COVID-19 has stressed and complicated business models. Some people are really hurting and there is no way around it. If you are one of those folks, I encourage you to have a conversation with your suppliers now! We are seeing many relationships coming to amicable terms when timely conversation has taken …
ARBITRATION DECISION BRIEF:Whether the Inspection Certificates show that the fruit failed to meet contract terms.
Commencing this year, we will publish a summary series of arbitration decisions which will help members better understand how DRC Rules and Regulations apply in the event of a dispute. DRC Dispute Resolution Rules state that all DRC arbitrations are private and confidential. We have omitted the names of people, including arbitrators, as well as …
Membership Updates for March 15, 2021
Welcome New MembersFrom January 1 until February 15, 2021, DRC welcomed the following new members:AM PRODUCE INC. ON CanadaCHADI IMPORT-EXPORT INC. (Faisant également affaire sous Cha QC CanadaCHAROEN POKPHAND FOODS CANADA INC. (Also d/b/a CPF Canada) ON CanadaCOUFFIN BIO CDN INC. QC CanadaEXCEPTIONAL FUTURE LLC. (Also d/b/a Exceptional Future) CA United StatesGIRAFFE FOODS INC. (Also …
Modernizing Canada’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grade Standards
DRC’s initiative to modernize Canada’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grade Standards is progressing well. For context, the CFIA Canadian Grade Compendium Volume 2 – Fresh Fruits or Vegetables https://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-cfia/acts-and-regulations/list-of-acts-and-regulations/documents-incorporated-by-reference/canadian-grade-compendium-volume-2/eng/1519996239002/1519996303947 is the lexicon, or recognized language, for describing fruit and vegetable commodities and associated defects. This common lexicon is necessary in order for federal inspectors, private …
