Jan 16 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Hard to factor in impact of food guide changes and CFIA changes on bottom lines. Ottawa—Canada’s food processors face an uncertain situation in 2019 because of a mixed bag of business ingredients, says Farm Credit Canada in an outlook report. Among the factors they’ll have to track is new export opportunities, pricing of raw […]
Jan 15 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Rural development minister linked to innovation not agriculture department. Ottawa—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Nova Scotia MP Bernadette Jordan as Minister of Rural Economic Development but linked her to the Innovation Department. Her role will be to oversee the creation of a rural development strategy to spur economic growth, bring high-speed internet to […]
Jan 14 2019 — Alex Binkley — Department reviewed eight objections to a 2017 decision allowing its continued use. Ottawa—There still are no good scientific reasons to curtail the use of the popular herbicide glyphosate, says Health Canada after a lengthy review of objections to a 2017 decision. The Department said then the herbicide posed no risk of cancer for users […]
Jan 10 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Crystal Mackay is stepping down to make a career change. Ottawa—The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) is looking for a new president to take over from Crystal MacKay after she steps down at the end of April to pursue a career change. The move comes after a decade of working with agrifood support […]
Jan 8 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Despite market volatility, export growth still likely, FCC says. Ottawa—Final figures aren’t available yet but all signs suggest farm income in 2018 was clipped by several factors and will likely stay at that level through this year, says J. P Gervais, chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit Canada. “Price volatility, higher input costs and […]
Jan 2 2019 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Lots of young people but also plenty of constraints hinder youth going into farming. Ottawa—There is a lot of agriculture potential in First Nations communities across the country that needs encouragement and support to blossom, says Jamie Hall, General Manager of the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario. Despite deep roots in food production, native […]
Dec 31 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — The cow was traced back from an Alberta abattoir. Ottawa—The discovery in an Alberta abattoir of a beef cow infected with bovine TB (bTB) triggered a major investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that traced the animal back to a B.C. farm. Jaspinder Komal, Canada’s Chief Veterinary Officer, outlined the investigation to the […]
Dec 24 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Farm groups want food labels to remain focused on risks to health. Ottawa—New U.S. rules for labelling genetically-modified foods has stirred up anti-GM groups in Canada to call for warning labels on domestic products although Parliament voted strongly against the idea two years ago. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) said the new U.S. […]
Dec 18 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Many will be watching for signs Ottawa actually tackling the regulatory burden. Ottawa—The federal government is making promising statements about seriously tackling the burden of regulations the country’s businesses face as they attempt to improve their international competitiveness. In many cases, it comes down to I’ll believe it when I see it. Treasury Board […]
Dec 17 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — The agrifood sector has to become creative in updating Ottawa’s view of farming. Ottawa—Much of the federal government is stuck in the past when it comes to understanding agriculture and the sector has to be prepared to be very creative to fix all the misunderstandings, says Donald Buckingham. The President of the Canadian Agriculture […]
Dec 14 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Non tariff barriers pose huge threat to the grain sector. Ottawa—While applauding the federal government for completing three key trade deals, the Canada Grains Council (CGC) says those successes are just a first step. Now the government has to prevent its trading partners from bringing in non tariff barriers that undo the benefits of […]
Dec 13 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Ottawa—Ron Bonnett won’t be running for re-election as president when the Canadian Federation of Agricultue holds its annual meeting in February but he intends to remain involved in a mentoring role for future farm leaders. “I never wanted to stay in the job too long,” he said in an interview. His experience in the CFA, […]
Dec 12 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Consumers as well as producers will suffer, Senate report says. Ottawa—Agriculture and forestry have worked hard to reduce their carbon footprint and shouldn’t be forced to pay a second time with the introduction of the federal carbon pricing plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says a report by the Senate agriculture committee. While the […]
Dec 11 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — System should help producers meet new federal rules on antimicrobial use in animals. Ottawa—Livestock owners should receive better outcomes working with their vets in treating sick animals under an information system developed by the the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The system was launched to coincide with the Dec. 1 start of new federal […]
Dec 10 2018 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Meat consumption is at levels not seen since the 1980s, it says. OTTAWA – The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) says meat consumption remains strong in Canada despite claims in the Canada Food Report 2019 that Canadians are moving to plant-based food alternatives. The beef demand index showed a decrease of just 2 per cent […]