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
Stories by Barry Wilson
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
Meat label opponents focus on costs
Mandatory country-of-origin labelling for beef, hogs and other perishable produce that is scheduled to take effect in the United States in September 2004 would cost the American farm economy billions of dollars, economists are telling the U.S. government. A study by Sparks Companies Inc. that was delivered to the U.S. Department of Agriculture April 9 […] Read more
Label delay is a set back – Opinion
FEDERAL government and food industry officials likely don’t see it this way but they are losing ground in the political battle to deny consumers the right to know if their food contains genetically modified ingredients. Despite official efforts to promote a voluntary labelling scheme, consumer support for mandatory GM labels remains strong and evidence grows […] Read more
Provinces beginning to buy into APF program
Sometime in early May, Newfoundland is expected to become the first province to sign agriculture policy framework implementing agreements with the federal government. On April 11, Prince Edward Island agriculture minister Mitch Murphy became the ninth provincial agriculture minister to sign onto the APF in principle. Only Quebec has not signed in principle and a […] Read more
Producers warn of COOL’s impact
Mandatory country-of-origin labelling in the United States next year could cut $90 or more from the market price of an animal and drive many cattle producers out of business, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association told MPs last week. At least one member of Parliament quickly got the picture. “The Hilstrom ranch would be out of business,” […] Read more
Feds have few options against labelling
The American plan to impose mandatory country-of-origin labelling rules next year is a costly, chaotic, wrong-headed and inexplicable policy folly that may violate trade law, federal government officials say. But they also insist they cannot bow to critics’ pressure to launch an immediate trade challenge because COOL still is just a proposal and not law. […] Read more
Rural MP rejects APF delay
Ottawa’s controversial proposals for new farm safety net programs have to be improved to increase farmer acceptance, says the new chair of the Liberal rural caucus, but the government is correct in pressing ahead with implementation before the final details are complete. Andy Savoy, a first-term MP from New Brunswick, said in an interview the […] Read more
Canada says no compromise with WTO
International trade minister Pierre Pettigrew believes an agricultural deal is possible at the World Trade Organization despite a recent breakdown in negotiations. But he also insisted that Canada does not have to change its negotiating position, even though the chair of the WTO negotiations has complained that deadlock has happened because no country will compromise. […] Read more
Relations with U.S. ‘strong’
Canada’s agricultural trade priorities for the year include a bit of offence and a lot of defence, international trade minister Pierre Pettigrew indicated last week. In his department’s annual publication of market access priorities, as well as during an appearance before the House of Commons trade committee, the minister noted that the United States continues […] Read more
