LONDON, U.K. (Reuters) — Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in people, animals and food across the European Union pose an alarming threat to public and animal health, according to disease and safety experts. A report on antimicrobial resistance in bacteria by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said 25,000 […] Read more
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Super bugs put people, animals, food at risk: EU
Grains council raises forecast for 2016-17 global crop
LONDON, U.K. (Reuters) — The International Grains Council has raised its forecast for the global grains crop in 2016-17, partly because of improved outlooks for corn crops in Brazil and Mexico and wheat production in Australia. The IGC, in a monthly report, put total grains production at 2.102 billion tonnes, up eight million from the […] Read more
Gov’t supports Buy Local
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — A buy local program designed to support British Columbia agriculture has been given an extra $2 million from the provincial government. The program supports agriculture and food companies that produce products that are grown, harvested and processed in the province. “With stable long-term funding for the Buy Local program, local agrifood companies […] Read more
Ukraine to seed 500,000 acres over last year
KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) — Ukrainian farmers, who were expected to start seeding the 2017 grain crop earlier this month, are expecting to plant 17.8 million acres of various grains, the agriculture ministry said late last month. Last year, Ukraine, the world’s third-largest grain exporter, started spring seeding Feb. 24, taking advantage of favourable weather. Farmers […] Read more
India considers reinstating 25 percent wheat import tax
High imports from traders and expectations of a bumper crop may prompt the government to hike the duty from its current 10 percent
NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) — India could impose a 25 percent import tax on wheat by the middle of March, two government sources said March 1, reinstating the tariff after a gap of nearly three months in response to recent large purchases from overseas. India, the world’s second-biggest wheat producer, lowered the import tax on […] Read moreCanada approves food irradiation for meat, but will consumers buy in?
Health Canada has approved irradiation of ground beef, but it may be some time before meat treated with irradiation appears on store shelves. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association requested approval for irradiation of ground beef in May 2013. After a series of assessments, the department determined it is safe and does not significantly alter the nutritional […] Read more
Right to strike a sticking point in farm worker legislation
Recommendations on how labour relations regulations and employment standards should or could be applied to Alberta’s farm and ranch workers are open for public input until April 3. Reports from two of six committees appointed by the provincial government were released March 6 and are the latest developments in the NDP government’s controversial Enhanced Protection […] Read more
Wanted: omega-3 fish feed alternatives
Soaring demand for fish oil has grain companies scrambling to develop new crops high in omega-3 fatty acids
(Reuters) — The world’s top agricultural traders and biotechnology firms are finding novel ways to make fish oil substitutes from grains and algae as they seek to cash in on consumer health fads that have led to a scarcity of the fatty acids commonly found in fish. Fish are the fastest-growing protein source in a […] Read moreMorocco sees good harvest after double 2016 rainfall
RABAT, Morocco (Reuters) — Recent rainfall in Morocco is expected to yield a favourable crop harvest this season after last year’s drought, which has been recorded as the worst in three decades, the country’s agriculture ministry said. With an increase in average national rainfall to 287 milli-metres, up 136 percent from last year’s average of […] Read more
Opportunities abound in ag sector: official
OTTAWA — Investors are excited about agricultural opportunities identified by the federal government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, says the council chair. Dominic Barton, who is also global managing director of the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, said Canada’s agriculture and food sector represents significant untapped economic potential. There is an opportunity for both […] Read more
