Vietnam’s decision to ban farmers from using glyphosate is troubling in three ways: it appears to rely on decisions set by lay juries rather than science, it appears also to apply to imports, and it may be the beginning of a trend. Canada exports about $297 million in agricultural products annually to Vietnam, so the […] Read more
Tag Archives WP editorial — page 2
Buying pork from Poland ultimately the right move
It is painful to watch the spread of African swine fever through parts of Asia and Europe, yet Canada’s decision to keep accepting imports of pork from Poland is pragmatic. Since Canada would follow the same procedures Poland is ostensibly now employing, there is a duty to play this out. ASF has never been found […] Read more
Canada may need a rethink on how it trades with China
China’s ban on imports of Canadian canola seed is an urgent issue, but it also gives Canada an opportunity to rethink its relationship on agricultural trade with China. Some creative thinking could turn our collective mindset upside down. Canada and China had agreed to double agricultural trade between them by 2025. That trade is now […] Read more
Budget’s agricultural focus welcome news for farmers
Two years ago, the federal government identified agriculture as a key sector for growth in exports, but it has been some time since we’ve seen policy details in spending plans. In that vein, last week’s federal budget was welcome. It is unfortunate, however, that it comes at a time when an election looms, meaning some […] Read more
CETA not necessarily a bust because of slow exports
In 2016, shortly after the Canada-European Union trade deal was signed, Glacier Farm Media published a story outlining the challenges Canada’s agricultural sector would face to take advantage of the deal. Most concerned understanding new markets, establishing certification processes and whether there’s energy to take advantage of new opportunities in Europe. The story turned out […] Read more
Canada needs to address trade dilemma with China
Canada’s quest to double agricultural trade with China, which both countries agreed to in November, is effectively handing China an economic bludgeon to wield as it sees fit. It is a dilemma for Canada. Increasing trade with China is vital if agricultural exports — seen as a foundation of Canada’s export growth — are to […] Read more
CFIA must rethink its new livestock transport rules
It’s often said that if both sides don’t like changes to something, then it must be right. But that is not necessarily the case for updated transport regulations. The balance between outcomes and prescriptive rules for animals that was sought by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is not necessarily the way to go. We have […] Read more
Canada-China trade deal faces variety of hurdles
The pursuit of a Canada-China free trade agreement, or even an agreement covering just the agriculture sector, is becoming increasingly complicated, which is unfortunate, because there are benefits to a deal. Western Producer reporter Robin Booker has posted a blog gleaned from information produced by an access to information request outlining the nature of concerns […] Read more
Everyone should help pay for new trucker regulations
New commercial truck driver licensing costs for training, as they relate to agriculture, should be paid for by everyone, not just farmers. The movement for change in how commercial drivers are licensed is driven by a tragic accident that focused the public’s attention on the potential risks that large commercial trucks can pose. Those risks […] Read more
Shelving rail costing review puts gov’t on wrong track
It’s puzzling that both the governing Liberals and the Conservative government before them have avoided a full costing analysis for moving grain by rail. Rail companies are regulated with maximum revenue entitlements on grain transportation, in part because there are only two major carriers, so farmers are justified in seeking to know how much it […] Read more
