It’s concerning that Health Canada may have cast its net too wide in its decision to ban two more neonicotinoid seed treatments without a full set of information about whether such a dramatic move is required in Western Canada. Health Canada’s Pest Management Control Agency admits its information from Western Canada on whether neonics are […] Read more
Tag Archives WP editorial — page 2
Canada right to speak up on Saudi human rights abuses
How much inhumanity does a country get to inflict on people before countries with which it does business speak up? That question is central to the dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia. How about beheading, crucifixion, leading the invasion of another country (Yemen, creating what the United Nations called a humanitarian catastrophe,) torturing confessions out […] Read more
Canada must send strong signal to U.S. on trade war
It was disappointing to hear federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay say Canada won’t do anything substantial to help Canadian farmers who will likely be affected by the growing trade dispute between the United States and China. In a scenario that will likely see prices affected worldwide, Canadian farmers will be caught up in the fray. […] Read more
EU’s gene editing ruling shows disdain for science
Canada is open for business and will welcome global agricultural researchers as they abandon less hospitable nations. While this is likely a gross over-simplification of the situation, our national science strategy will be a good fit for European companies, talented scientists and international state-funded projects looking to exploit the latest in genetic tools. Lack of […] Read more
Climate change plan must reward sequestered carbon
When it’s observed that current agricultural practices such as preserving grassland and zero- or minimal-tillage for crops help to sequester carbon — essentially turning farmland land into a carbon sink — the current climate-change policy response is: thank you for your service; now, what have you done for us lately? Canada’s climate-change plans do not […] Read more
Alta. opposition off base on farm safety legislation
Alberta United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney’s vow to repeal Bill 6 is unsavoury political opportunism. Such a promise ignores the fact that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in Canada, and that while fatality and injury numbers are dropping, they continue to be significant. And Kenney would do nothing about it, decrying […] Read more
Feds must support farmers if trade war turns ugly
The machinations going on behind the scenes in the trade dispute between the United States and China spilled into the public realm last week, and it’s likely that Canada’s farmers will get caught up in the crossfire. If so, the Canadian government must be prepared to act. Early last month, Canadian officials submitted a question […] Read more
Speedy disclosure necessary for respected food system
Canadian grain officials are confident that a visiting delegation from Japan will be satisfied that Canada’s wheat system does not contain the genetically modified variety found in a roadside ditch in Alberta last summer. Based on the testing and the resources that have been put into the investigation, there is every reason to believe that […] Read more
TPP-11 ratification must be a priority for House
For Canadian agriculture, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The agreement is on track to pass through the House by the fall, but we must be mindful of what can happen if MPs lose focus. Bill C-49, which updated transportation rules to address — among other things — how grain is […] Read more
Trump exploits myths around supply management
At the meeting of G7 nations last weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump used bully tactics to get Trump-favorable language in a joint message designed to play well at his core supporters back home. The member nations all reached agreement on the document, but in the end Trump didn’t sign. He launched a written attack on […] Read more
