Farmers across Canada want more certainty when it comes to costs, research and climate, among other factors, federal Conservatives say. That message was delivered by Warren Steinley, associate shadow minister for agriculture, during a Nov. 7 webinar hosted by the Agri-Food Innovation Council. The federal Tories have pinned their political hopes on moves like the […] Read more
Tag Archives Ag Policy
U.S. ag policy: buy more deck chairs or chart different course
Calls for US$20 billion in “emergency” farm program payments won’t go away now that the proposal’s principal audience, voters, have done their duty. The idea’s chief promoters, congressional Republicans, have built a wobbly case for the aid, and lame ducks or loud winners, their quacking will continue. Should they succeed, federal agriculture subsidies tied to the […] Read more
Ag policies need to better serve communities
Canada’s agricultural production model is unsustainable and in desperate need of reform. A range of issues plague the current system, including corporate consolidation, farmland concentration in the hands of non-farmers and foreign buyers, pollution and animal welfare issues, as well as soil erosion and the poor treatment of migrant workers. The loss of farmers in […] Read more
Canada chided for letting ag policy fall behind
Report says regulatory framework won’t allow much to happen on climate change and in some cases works against it
If Canada hopes to achieve its agricultural potential, it will need to at least keep up with American and other competitors who are doing much more to support their farmers’ efforts. That’s one of the main conclusions of the New Ag Deal: Four Policy Transitions for a Climate Smart Food Powerhouse, a report written by […] Read more
Habitat worth keeping is worth paying for
Agriculture policy is like pouring concrete. Planning, levelling and forming are important parts but can be modified as needed. However, once the concrete is poured and set, it’s a large, burdensome task to make major changes. Although I would like to take credit for this analogy, I cannot. The analogy is that of University of […] Read more
New ag policy framework spotlights trade
The emphasis at the agricultural policy framework negotiations is shifting from farm supports to prosperity through trade. Market access will be a key priority when federal and provincial agriculture ministers finish negotiating the next Growing Forward policy framework later this year, says a senior Agriculture Canada official. A priority during previous agricultural policy framework negotiations […] Read more
Trade talks spark fierce debate
Prime minister Stephen Harper signalled Nov. 13 he is reversing position and asking that Canada join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks. Supply management will be “on the table” for discussion, but the government will defend the system, he told reporters after an Asia-Pacific Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii. The surprise announcement, which is a change in […] Read more
Meatless Monday initiative won’t affect global warming
Meatless Monday is a toothless tiger but that hasn’t stopped this promotion from clawing at animal agriculture. The Meatless Monday initiative, which began in about 2002 and seems to be steadily gaining supporters, encourages people to eliminate meat from their diets for one day each week as a way to protect the environment and reduce […] Read more
Widespread hunger unacceptable as a political choice in a food-rich world
Unless you are a turkey, autumn is a blessed time in this most blessed of countries. Harvest, Thanksgiving feasts, family are part of the tradition. But that is an overview. Not all Canadians share in those benefits, those good times. He was engaging in some over-the-top political rhetoric but on Oct. 7 as Canadians were […] Read more
Water may be defining issue in future
The following is an excerpt from the Canada West Foundation’s policy paper, “Wave of the future: Water policy in Western Canada,” by foundation president Roger Gibbins and policy analyst Larissa Sommerfeld. Western Canada, all of which are relevant to the economy, local cultures, ecosystem and human health. In British Columbia, the potential for floods and […] Read more
