Milk is often criticized as being too expensive in Canada compared to the United States, but the chair of Alberta Milk says it’s good value. Hennie Bos, a dairy farmer near Lacombe, Alta., said milk prices are not high considering what consumers get. “I would say, if you look at your total grocery basket, dairy […] Read more
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Producer defends milk price
Pizza kits targeted by dairy producers
Alberta dairy producers like pizza because of its generous use of cheese. But they aren’t fans of pizza made from “pizza kits” that contain imported cheese and are used by Canadian companies to make pies for retail sale. In September, Dairy Farmers of Canada launched a challenge through the Canadian International Trade Tribunal seeking a […] Read more
Ritz offers to sacrifice mustache for cancer fundraiser
For the second year in a row and only the second time since he was married, federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz is offering to shave off his trademark mustache to support cancer research. It is part of the worldwide Movember movement to raise money for the global fight against prostate cancer and to promote mental […] Read more
Budget bill receives approval in principle
The House of Commons Conservative majority approved in principle the government’s mammoth budget implementation bill yesterday after just five days of debate. The bill stretches to more than 400 pages and changes provisions in more than 60 other existing acts. Included is Canada Grain Act and amendments that will significantly change the powers of the […] Read more
Food banks report record user numbers
The federal government regularly brags about Canada’s strong economic performance compared to other nations, but the country’s food banks see a different side of the economy. When Food Banks Canada did its annual hunger count in March, member food banks reported that more than 882,000 people were helped that month, which was a record number. […] Read more
GM labelling would address consumer concerns: Charlebois
Canada’s biotech sector has failed to communicate the benefits of genetically modified food to consumers, which is why a University of Guelph professor supports mandatory labelling of GMOs. Sylvain Charlebois, associate dean of marketing and consumer studies at Guelph and an expert in food safety and distribution, said the science shows that GMOs are safe. […] Read more
CWB extends Harvest Pool deadline to next week
CWB has extended to Nov. 9 the deadline for farmers to sign up to the Harvest Pool. It said this morning that the extension was needed to give farmers more time to adjust to new options and procedures in the new open market. “Many farmers have told us they want to participate in our pools, […] Read more
Food safety bill receives easy ride at hearings
The federal government’s food safety legislation, Bill S-11, could be approved by the House of Commons agriculture committee and sent back to MPs for final debate as early as next week. Today, the Canadian Meat Council, Retail Council of Canada, importers of regulated products covered by supply management and Dairy Farmers of Canada appeared before […] Read more
Elk hunt approved for Alberta army base
Elk damage to private property around Canadian Forces Base Suffield has prompted the Alberta government to establish special elk hunting licences for the base. As of Nov. 1, hunters can buy a $9 quota licence to hunt antlerless elk on CFB Suffield land north of Medicine Hat. Only 200 licences will be issued, and only […] Read more
Dicamba tolerant soybeans get green light in Canada
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have approved dicamba tolerant soybeans, Monsanto announced today. The regulatory approval means Monsanto may soon offer a soybean with tolerance for glyphosate and dicamba. “Receiving Canadian regulatory approval on dicamba-tolerant soybeans is great news for farmers and is another step down the road to offering our customers […] Read more
