Another foundation of Canada’s supply-management system is about to be challenged. This spring, the National Farm Products Council will issue new cost-of-production guidelines that may challenge the theology that supply-managed pricing includes a guaranteed profit in return for limits on production. Cynthia Currie, chair of the Council, says the 1998 version of an appropriate cost-of-production […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
Whelan didn’t sue in exchange for food council post
Eugene Whelan last week said he agreed not to sue the former Progressive Conservative government when it fired him as an ambassador in 1984, in return for government support of Whelan’s role as chair of the World Food Council. “It was a hell of a way to end a political career,” the former Liberal agriculture […] Read more
Pilot plan sees farmers grade own produce
The fruit and vegetable industry last week got some political help for a self-grading experiment aimed at trying to avoid government cost-recovery charges. The Canadian Horticultural Council is organizing a series of pilot projects that would allow farmers to win accreditation to grade their own produce according to government standards. The farmers would have to […] Read more
Women herb growers told to learn the ropes to succeed
It is no surprise women make up the majority of the members of the Alberta Dried Flower and Herb Growers Association, says its vice-president. The small scale of the three-year-old industry draws them, said Katie Benschop, owner of an Edmonton flower business. “It’s like on a farm. The man is on the combine doing big […] Read more
Cattlemen want feds to approve irradiation
Canada’s cattle industry is asking the federal government to allow use of a controversial irradiation process to reduce the danger of bacteria-contaminated ground beef reaching consumers. Last week, leaders of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association presented a 900-page submission to Health Canada asking that it approve irradiation of fresh and frozen ground beef. The products would […] Read more
Ontario board may be CWB role model
It may seem like the tail wagging the dog, but critics of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly hope the small Ontario wheat board becomes a role model for its big prairie cousin. Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board delegates voted recently to end the board’s export monopoly next year. Farmers will have the option of selling […] Read more
Whelan outlines agricultural fears
It was a question from a young Ontario farmer that left a veteran politician grasping for words. During a March 11 meeting between senator Eugene Whelan and members of the Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership program, Ridgetown, Ont. hog and cash crop farmer Patrick Van Haren asked: “What is your greatest fear for agriculture?” It appeared […] Read more
Potato growers miffed at Mexican corruption
Canadian seed potato sales to Mexico are being stifled by Mexican corruption and political interference, potato growers complained last week. “They have raised phytosanitary issues, quality issues, everything,” Al Stuart, manager of Potato Growers of Alberta, said in a March 13 interview during the annual meeting of the Canadian Horticultural Council. “We’ve tried to accommodate […] Read more
Reform MPs win public support for flag-waving
Members of Parliament know that most Canadians could not care less about the games politicians play in Ottawa. For the record, though, last week was a good one for the Reform Party, games and all. It found itself isolated among the five political parties but on the side of Canadian public opinion. As a party […] Read more
Apple growers get better loan conditions
Canadian apple growers will be getting some government help to expand or improve their orchards. Agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief announced March 13 that a new Farm Credit Corporation “apple grower loan” program will be started. It will allow apple growers to borrow up to $22 for each new tree planted in a high-density orchard, which […] Read more
