This spring, the Senate agriculture committee raised expectations among opponents of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly that it might take the radical step of endorsing their fight. Last week, with a timid report that should ruffle few government feathers and steered clear of the monopoly debate, the senators dashed those expectations. Now, the anti-wheat board […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
Minister says trade war unlikely
Instant world condemnation of growing export subsidy use by the United States and Europe may avert a return to a farmer-damaging trade subsidy war, says Canadian agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief. “I don’t think we are (headed for a trade war),” he said May 15. “The fact that everybody has jumped onto what has happened in […] Read more
Ag Canada gets $84 million to cover safety nets, ice storm
The federal government is allocating an additional $84.18 million to the Agriculture Canada budget for the current fiscal year. New government spending estimates for 1998-99 presented to Parliament May 15 reflect greater-than-expected safety net costs and the expensive aftermath of the January ice storm in central and eastern Canada. Agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief is being […] Read more
Grits force end to debate on labor code changes
The federal government used its parliamentary majority last week to end House of Commons debate on Canada Labor Code amendments that will protect west coast grain movement from disruption due to third party strikes or lockouts. Debate ended in the Commons May 15. The legislation will be approved and sent to the Senate next week […] Read more
U.S. breathes life into EEP
The American decision to revive export subsidies on selected farm products opens a trade can of worms that could send the world sliding toward trade wars, Canadian agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief warned Friday. “It gives me concern,” Vanclief said. “It can be a dangerous slippery slope and when you get into that game, you may […] Read more
Senate proposals delay CWB bill
Members of the Senate agriculture committee retired behind closed doors this week to start figuring out how they would change the government’s Canadian Wheat Board legislation. Committee members say amendments are guaranteed, which means the legislation will be sent back to the House of Commons for another vote. Committee sources said late last week at […] Read more
Senator predicts CWB changes ahead
The chair of the Senate agriculture committee last week predicted the Canadian Wheat Board will evolve from a crown selling agency to a grain marketing co-operative without the power of a government-legislated monopoly. Saskatchewan Conservative senator Len Gustafson said that would give farmers the marketing choices he believes they want. “My feeling is that in […] Read more
Dairy growth hormone not approved but ‘in use’
A controversial dairy growth hormone not yet approved for use in Canada is widely available and in use on dairy farms, an MP claimed last week. New Democratic Party agriculture critic Dick Proctor told the House of Commons agriculture committee May 7 that bovine somatotropin is readily available to dairy farmers. “I know from someone […] Read more
Reform MP endorses Ontario’s deficit spending
The next time a voter meets a Reform MP on the Prairies, here’s a suggested question or two: Does the Reform Party believe governments should add to the public debt, which our children will have to pay, in order to give their parents a tax break now? When did the party adopt the policy that […] Read more
Progress of modified foods rests on public
Members of Parliament last week got a glimpse of the potential and the problem of biotechnology. They heard it can add hundreds of millions of dollars to farm incomes. But there continues to be some consumer suspicion and an active interest group lobby that can undermine the acceptance of genetically modified foods. Tony Zatylny of […] Read more
