Producers say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and questionable government policies are threatening world food stocks
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Disruption is threatening both food security and the farmers who produce that food, panelists from Europe and North America said at a recent conference. For decades, said Ted Bilyea, special adviser to the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, farmers have been dealing with the challenges of abundance. They worried about productivity growing faster […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Farmgate milk price hike delayed
The farmgate price of milk will go up May 1, 2024, rather than Feb. 1, after a review of the national pricing formula and consultation with stakeholders. The increase will be 1.77 percent, or about 1.5 cents per litre for milk going into processing plants. The Canadian Dairy Commission had already published this increase in […] Read more
Biosecurity bill takes another step
An amended version of the bill to fine barn trespassers has gone back to the House of Commons. The standing agriculture committee approved Bill C-275, which amends the Health of Animals Act, after clause-by-clause debate Oct. 16. John Barlow, opposition agriculture critic and committee vice-chair, sponsored the bill. He was pleased to see the bill […] Read more
Sask. ag emissions double: NFU report
A comprehensive look at Saskatchewan’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions shows they have doubled in the last 30 years. The report by National Farmers Union policy assistant John Mills found emissions were 11.1 million tonnes per year in 1990 and 22 million tonnes in 2021. Rising emissions from nitrogen fertilizer production use are a main contributor, […] Read more
EU organic output out of step with consumption
European farmers say they are encouraged to produce more organically even as consumer interest in the product wanes
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Organic consumption is falling in Europe even as governments mandate more production using that farming system. The European Commission is not paying attention to what people want, said Lode Ceyssens, president of the Belgian Farmers Union in Flanders. “They are not following consumer trends,” he said during a session on market and […] Read more
U.K. grocery code not good role model: farmer
Member of National Farmers Union in U.K. says Canada should consider his country’s experience as it finalizes its code
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Hearing praise for the grocery code of conduct in the United Kingdom drew Andrew Clark to his feet and the microphone. A member of the National Farmers Union in England, Clark said he knew a lot of farmers back home who wouldn’t recognize the code as particularly helpful. His comments came after […] Read more
CCIA to track cattle for sustainability program
Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef says tracking partnership should provide transparency throughout the system
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef hopes more cattle will make it all the way through its certified sustainable program after signing a new tracking partnership. The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency is now handling chain of custody tracking for the program. The move is designed to provide more transparency and help find out where cattle […] Read more
Sask. going to COP28
Saskatchewan is planning a strong presence at COP28 in United Arab Emirates later this year to showcase the sustainability efforts of the province’s farmers and other industries. The trip was announced during the Oct. 25 throne speech read by Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty to open the fourth sitting of the legislature. This is likely the last […] Read more
Liberal MP introduces pathway for quicker regulatory approval
Seed, feed and pest control legislation would be amended to allow faster approval of products from other countries
Kody Blois, Liberal MP and chair of the House of Commons’ agriculture committee, has introduced a bill to make it easier for seed, feed and crop protection products to move into Canada. Private member’s Bill C-359 would amend the Seeds Act, Feeds Act and Pest Control Products Act to provide a 90-day provisional registration for […] Read more
Ottawa consults on rail freight sector
Federal consultations on the rail freight sector have begun with industry players. Transport Canada is holding roundtable meetings with various stakeholders as a result of the National Supply Chain Task Force report released a year ago. That report made a number of recommendations with varying time frames for action. These included establishing a supply chain […] Read more
