With some political manoeuvring and old-fashioned arm twisting, the federal Liberal government has defeated a bill that would have established a principle that all food containing genetically modified material should be labelled. Defeat of the private member’s bill by a vote of 126-91 takes the GM labelling issue off the political front burner for now. […] Read more
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Closest vote yet on GM labels
Ottawa Notebook
Members of the House of Commons agriculture committee expect to find out this week whether and how much they will be able to travel in November for public hearings. At a private planning meeting last week, members of the committee decided to make expansive and expensive plans. Instead of the original proposal to travel to […] Read more
MPs, senators take aim at agriculture minister
Agriculture has largely been pushed off the parliamentary agenda by terrorism in recent times but last week, critics of agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief found their voices again, accusing the minister of a variety of sins. From accusations of information manipulation to complaints about food safety and stinginess in the face of farm financial problems, Vanclief […] Read more
Sugar beet industry opposes trade deal with Costa Rica
A free trade deal negotiated earlier this year between Canada and Costa Rica and rushed through a House of Commons committee last week poses a serious threat to Canada’s sugar industry and Alberta’s sugar beet sector, industry officials said last week. It would gradually end sugar tariffs between the two countries, giving Canada tariff-free access […] Read more
Farmers fear animal cruelty law could lead to lawsuits
Farmers on Parliament Hill trying to convince government to change proposed cruelty to animals legislation last week faced a conundrum. They fear that proposals in Criminal Code amendments could subject farmers to lawsuits or investigations over how they treat their animals in the normal course of farming. Yet the government and animal rights activists say […] Read more
Timothy hay slowly gains interest
When Lorne Miller saw his farm’s bottom line threatened by sliding grain prices a few years ago, he decided to diversify into timothy hay. The Binscarth, Man., farmer wasn’t alone. While the timothy hay industry is still in its infancy in Manitoba, 25,000 tonnes of the crop were grown for export last year on at […] Read more
Europe says world trade talks may founder on U.S. subsidies
European Union politicians in Ottawa last week warned that American proposals to increase farm subsidies in a new farm bill will be a stumbling block at world trade talks, expected to begin in November. “The major problem, and it’s going to be a problem within the discussions on the World Trade Organization, is going to […] Read more
Ag Notes
Student biotech contest Saskatoon high school students will compete for more than $5,000 in cash prizes during the Aventis Biotech Challenge this winter. The regional competition allows selected student projects to be completed with the assistance of mentors from the biotechnology industry and their laboratories. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 30. In the open […] Read more
Dry summer unexpected in S.E. Sask.
TRIBUNE, Sask. – A year ago, few in southeastern Saskatchewan were concerned about lack of moisture. A Nov. 1, 2000 storm dumped enough snow to block roads, knock out electricity, close schools and offer hope for the next growing season. This spring the area was one of the few bright spots as much of the […] Read more
Winter of chance
MILK RIVER, Alta. – Roy Audet slides a photo album across the kitchen table. Photos of a full hay yard taken in past years sit in stark contrast to the current view from his dining room window. The cattle are already home and on feed, and the hay lot is only half full. It is […] Read more
