Canada鈥檚 grain farmers say a strike at Metro Vancouver terminals would cripple crop exports if it were allowed to take place.

The Grain Growers of Canada say in a statement that it is 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥� about a potential strike of grain workers in Metro Vancouver, since about 52 per cent of all Canadian-grown grain went to those terminals last year.

Grain farmers say a strike would 鈥渉alt nearly 100,000 metric tonnes鈥� of commodities arriving each day, potentially costing $35 million daily in lost exports.

The response comes after the union representing grain workers at terminals in Metro Vancouver said it has served their employer with a 72-hour strike notice.

The Grain Workers Union Local 333 says in a statement posted to Facebook that its strike will start at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association says affected operations include Viterra鈥檚 Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, G3 Terminal Vancouver and Alliance Grain Terminal, all located in Vancouver and North Vancouver.

鈥淕rain farmers in the prairies rely heavily on the Port of Vancouver to handle and export the majority of the grain they grow,鈥� the statement from the Grain Growers of Canada says. 鈥淔ollowing last month鈥檚 rail work stoppages, this strike will have an equally devastating impact on grain farmers across the prairies who are in the midst of harvest.鈥�

The group is also urging federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon to 鈥渦se all tools available鈥� to prevent a work stoppage from coming to pass.

鈥淲ithout intervention, Canada鈥檚 international trading reputation will continue to suffer, leading to the loss of key global markets and customers,鈥� the Grain Growers鈥� statement says.

Grain Workers Union Local 333 says the union鈥檚 bargaining committee made the decision to issue a strike notice after the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association 鈥渋nvested very little effort鈥� during negotiations last week.

The union says it鈥檚 now up to the employer to present a proposal for a new contract, and workers have provided a 鈥渃omprehensive package鈥� last Thursday with the association indicating the next day it had no counter offer.

It鈥檚 statement says the union鈥檚 shop committees will advise members of their picketing duties before the start of the strike Tuesday morning.

鈥淵ou are required to leave the terminal at that time if you are working,鈥� the statement says to workers.

鈥淵our union will not bargain against itself,鈥� the grain workers statement says. 鈥淲e will await their proposal if, and when, it comes, and respond accordingly.鈥�

A statement issued by the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association says it concluded conciliation with the union with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on Aug. 26.

It says it could not come to an agreement on a new contract and the union has been in a legal strike position since last Tuesday.