One of Canada’s leading agribusinesses is contemplating suing the Canadian Grain Commission after the Federal Court of Appeal ruled it had been treated unfairly by the federal regulator. “We’re certainly going to have to consider that very seriously,” said Jean-Marc Ruest, assistant vice-president of legal and industry affairs for James Richardson International. In the fall […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Biofuel poses major risk to food supply: report
Biofuel has been trumpeted as the answer to some of the world’s most pressing pollution problems, but there is a growing concern that the rapid growth of the ethanol and biodiesel industries could create more environmental headaches than they resolve. A June 7 report issued by Worldwatch Institute, an environmental research organization, says biofuel production […] Read more
Ammonium nitrate concern rekindled
The arrest of 17 Toronto men charged with terrorism-related offences will likely expedite proposed new regulations governing the sale of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. “I would think it will have a little higher profile than a week ago,” said Chris Watson, chief inspector of explosives with Natural Resources Canada. Watson said the file will move to […] Read more
Fusarium tolerant wheat variety gets lukewarm response in Canada
Canadian wheat groups have not thrown their support behind a promising new genetically modified wheat proposal the same way their counterparts in the United States have, says a biotechnology promoter. Earlier this year, U.S. Wheat Associates, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the Wheat Export Trade Education Committee – the three big players in […] Read more
Feed pea promotion needs work, says analyst
Pulse grower groups are doing a poor job of promoting domestic consumption of peas, says an industry analyst, an allegation the industry denies. Canada will post record exports of the legume in 2005-06 but local sales are slumping badly, according to the editor of Stat Publishing, a widely read specialty crop newsletter. “Is there a […] Read more
Pea outlook loses lustre after rain arrives in Europe
The pea outlook is mundane now that the rain has returned to Spain. “We’ve certainly seen the highs in the market as far as I’m concerned,” said Dave Walker, general manager of Walker Seeds Ltd. He expects the top importer of Canadian peas to resume regular buying patterns in 2006-07 after a year in which […] Read more
New government boosts ag biotech
Promoters of agricultural biotechnology are heartened by what they are hearing from Canada’s young Conservative government. In particular they were pleased that in his budget address on May 5, agriculture minister Chuck Strahl identified technological innovation as one of his department’s four main themes. The minister told the Calgary chamber of commerce his government is […] Read more
Sask. MLAs handed ‘green’ jobs
CRAIK, Sask. – With the creation of two new legislative secretary positions, Saskatchewan is said to be giving greater importance to potential growth sectors. Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Lon Borgerson has been named legislative secretary for organic farming and Saskatoon Greystone MLA Peter Prebble has been given the same title for the renewable energy file. Lorne […] Read more
Organics sector likes new position
CRAIK, Sask. – Saskatchewan organic growers feel they finally have the ear of government. Premier Lorne Calvert’s appointment of Lon Borgerson as a legislative secretary for organic farming is an acknowledgement of the growing influence of the sector, said Don Kizlyk, president of the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate. “In order to interact with government you first […] Read more
Flax industry gives GM another try
Five years after a genetically modified variety nearly lost Canadian flax growers their largest export market, the industry is finally ready to revisit the idea of GM crops. “The industry wants to take a look at what should we be doing, if anything, to discourage or encourage some of the potential that this has,” said […] Read more
