Farmers across the country have to expect a growing vigilance by governments in trying to stop contamination of inland fish habitat by farm pollutants, says the head of Environment Canada’s prairie enforcement unit for Fisheries Act violations. “The big message to farmers is that they have to do whatever is necessary to stop runoff of […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
No growth in trade
The World Trade Organization is warning that war, international tensions and some shaky world economies point to little growth in trade volumes this year. The Geneva-based organization said trade is expected to grow by less than three percent this year, well below typical 1990s growth rates. “These trade figures reflect the growing economic and political […] Read more
Canada reins in greenhouse gases
Canada reported last week that emissions of greenhouse gases declined in 2001 for the first time in a decade and that agriculture played a role in the decline. Environment Canada reported to the United Nations that greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.3 percent to 720 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. It was the first decline […] Read more
Without compromise trade deal may fail
Canada’s chief negotiator on international agriculture told a private meeting of farm leaders last week there is little chance significant progress can be made in World Trade Organization talks before a pivotal meeting of ministers in Mexico in September. Trade observers warn there is a real danger that talks will break down and the entire […] Read more
Spring rain and snow plant smiles on farmers’ faces – Opinion
Neil Wagstaff was sitting on his Elnora, Alta., farm southeast of Red Deer April 28 looking at snowdrifts a metre high and wondering about the impact on spring seeding. “It’s hard to fathom this much snow and this much moisture at this time of year,” he said after a record spring blizzard closed down large […] Read more
Do Liberal candidates have a grasp of farm issues? – Opinion
On May 3 in Edmonton, candidates fighting to become the 21st Canadian prime minister meet in the first of a series of policy debates leading up to the summer selection of delegates to the November Liberal leadership convention. It will be the first chance for farmers to find out if Paul Martin, Sheila Copps and […] Read more
New gov’t won’t change APF rejection
A change in Quebec’s provincial government will do nothing to improve Ottawa’s ability to sell its controversial agricultural policy framework in the politically crucial province, say Quebec farm leaders. They are confident the new federalist Liberal provincial government will be as steadfast in refusing to sign the APF as was the outgoing separatist Parti Québecois. […] Read more
Investment company warns of GM business problems
Investors should be wary of multinational company Monsanto because of the market and financial risks it runs by staking much of its future on genetically engineered crops and compatible chemicals, warns an international market analyst firm. “Investors should be very concerned about the medium to long-term prospects for the company’s genetically engineered crops business,” Innovest […] Read more
Layton gets good response
Newly minted federal New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton found himself sharing a lot of “common ground” with Ontario National Farmers Union activists last week, says the NFU. In the midst of a southwestern Ontario federal byelection, Layton showed up on the Mitchell, Ont., farm of NFU vice-president Bruce Hunter for a session on agriculture […] Read more
Dairy farmers want butteroil problem fixed
Dairy industry leaders were on Parliament Hill last week complaining yet again about the federal government’s refusal to deal with a six-year-old problem of dairy substitutes entering the country without adequate tariffs. They got some support from frustrated MPs on the House of Commons agriculture committee. Canadian Alliance MP David Anderson said it is part […] Read more
