A task force exploring ways to revamp the controversial Own Use Import program is almost ready to unveil its recommendations, says the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. “The review is wrapping up. We’ve got pretty good consensus on most of the issues,” said Trish MacQuarrie, director of alternative strategies and regulatory affairs with the PMRA. She […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Sask. activists work on water statement
Saskatchewan is way behind the rest of the world and the rest of Canada in entering the water conservation debate, says an environmental group. “We’re one of the last places in the world where water issues have really pierced the public’s consciousness,” said Darrin Qualman, water issues co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. The group […] Read more
Pea estimate disputed
Grain traders say Agriculture Canada was high with its latest pea carry-out estimate, especially given burgeoning demand from India. “I think they’re smoking something pretty good over there,” said Eric Fossay, senior pea merchant at Agricore United. In its March 27 supply and disposition report, Agriculture Canada forecast 400,000 tonnes of carry-out stocks. Fossay thinks […] Read more
Checkoff to fund organic wheat
The Western Grains Research Foundation has announced an organic wheat breeding project in the midst of a debate over whether Saskatchewan organic producers will set up their own checkoff to fund such projects. On the surface it appears to be a timely attempt to convince producers that existing commissions are covering their needs. But the […] Read more
Dairies accused of unorganic habits
Consumers who think buying organic means supporting the ethical treatment of animals are being “shortchanged” by a growing trend toward factory farms, an organic watchdog says. Cornucopia Institute has released a report alleging that the U.S. organic dairy industry has been taken over by a handful of firms producing milk in industrial-style confinement facilities containing […] Read more
Canaryseed levy gets OK
Saskatchewan canaryseed growers who decide to market their crop at rock-bottom prices this year will be contributing to a newly established checkoff. The province has approved regulations for a mandatory but refundable $1.75 per tonne levy that will be collected by grain buyers starting May 1. With canaryseed exports averaging 165,000 tonnes per year, the […] Read more
Green groups claim victory in terminator war
Environmental groups claim 154 countries attending the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity have rejected a proposal to allow for the science-based assessment of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies, or GURTS. They said a proposal tabled by Canada, Australia and New Zealand, calling for case-by-case risk assessment of GURTS, was dropped in the face of fierce […] Read more
Religion flexes muscles on debate over GMOs
Religious groups are wading into the genetically modified crop debate, using moral and monetary might to pressure governments and corporations to take a more cautious and transparent approach with the technology. Last week Christian Brothers Investment Services Inc., a U.S. Catholic investment firm, filed a shareholder resolution requesting that DuPont improve its post-market monitoring of […] Read more
Catholic investors question safety of GM food products
A Catholic investment firm wants one of the world’s largest seed companies to go to confession. Christian Brothers Investment Services Inc., or CBIS, a U.S. investment advisory firm that manages $4 billion US on behalf of more than 1,000 Catholic institutions, wants DuPont to be more forthcoming about the genetically modified crop side of its […] Read more
New GM label rule fails to please
After 36 hours of intense negotiations, the parties attending last week’s Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety meeting in Brazil came to a last-minute compromise on GM documentation rules that appears to satisfy nobody. Exporters of genetically modified crops feel they have lost a long-running battle to maintain a bare-bones documentation system, a development that could disrupt […] Read more
