Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this morning announced $252 million in financial help for agriculture and food processing as part of the government’s pandemic response. The money includes $125 million in AgriRecovery for the pork and beef sectors, $77 million for food processors and packers to add personal protective equipment for workers and $50 million for […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19 virus
Livestock needs forecast to deal with bad weather
Storm clouds have gathered over Canada’s livestock industry. And although federal and provincial governments can’t change the weather, they can assist the nation’s livestock producers to weather the current storm. So far, they haven’t. They must, and do it quickly. Many livestock producers are making COVID-19 plans today that will determine whether they have a […] Read more
Agriculture Canada considers regional field research projects
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted decision makers at the federal agriculture department to scale back sensitive research and suspend non-critical research in laboratories and greenhouses. In an email, Agriculture Canada media relations officer James Watson said Ottawa has scaled back research operations to critical time-sensitive services and has suspended research that requires physical presence in […] Read more
Care home restrictions scrutinized
Restrictions in long-term care homes remain largely in place as governments begin to relax the rules around COVID-19. The facilities, many located in rural communities, remain a focus of concern since the vast majority of deaths in Canada have occurred in them. While the prairie provinces have not seen the devastating numbers that Quebec and […] Read more
Slaughter facility takes measure following case of COVID-19
One worker at Bouvry Exports in Fort Macleod, Alta., has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now quarantined at home. Alberta Health Services confirmed the case April 29 and officials have visited the plant twice in the past week, said Tom McMillan, assistant director of communications for Alberta Health, in an emailed response to queries. […] Read more
Takeout Day helps restaurants as industry continues to struggle
Commodity groups have joined Restaurants Canada and are encouraging people to order take-out food once a week to support the industry in the face of COVID-19. Lisa Bishop-Spencer, director of brand and communications for Chicken Farmers of Canada, said the idea was initiated by Restaurants Canada. “They were looking for different ways by which they […] Read more
New report identifies short, long-term challenges of COVID-19
The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has identified short- and long-term issues affecting the food system’s resilience. In a report resulting from discussion with 40 stakeholders, the Ottawa-based think-tank said the supply chain is performing well but uncertainty prevails. Many challenges currently facing the industry, according to the report, were related to logistics. Supply does not […] Read more
CAFTA applauds WTO as Canada continues to ensure continued trade
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is applauding the World Trade Organization for its commitment to stable international trade during the COVID-19 crisis. Canadian officials joined other WTO countries in committing to maintain essential global links during the pandemic. Participating countries — which include Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Republic of Korea, […] Read more
Bibeau finds cabinet meetings ‘difficult’ in COVID-19
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau might be wearing her pajamas. And she might need some more fresh air. The way in which the Quebec MP goes about her daily life in a COVID-19 world is drastically different than a few weeks ago. Like many around the world, she is often working from her home in Sherbrooke, […] Read more
Union fights reopening of Cargill beef plant
Efforts are underway to prevent the planned reopening of the Cargill beef processing plant in High River, Alta., slated for May 4. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union has filed an unfair labour practices complaint claiming dangerous mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic preparations within the plant. As of May 1, 921 Cargill workers had […] Read more
