What’s the value of public opinion? That’s a question I find myself asking more often these days. In a democracy, public opinion should matter and politicians and policy makers should have a strong understanding of the people’s will when making public policy. But should they give the people what they want? Today we have no… Read more »
Category: Ag Policy
Interest rate increases coming to Canada and the impact of trade talks on the Canadian economy
The Canadian economy has been healthy as of late, which has many farmers with higher debt levels somewhat concerned about interest rate increases in the near future. Farmers have enjoyed a low interest rate environment for quite some time, but the reality is – the Bank of Canada has some some decisions to make. Additionally… Read more »
The reason for Brad Wall’s close relationship with farmers
Last week when Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced he is retiring from public politics, ag twitter exploded with an outpouring of kind words and mentions of sorrow that the unofficial leader of conservatives across from Western Canada will no longer be there to represent them. So what is it? Why did Premier Brad Wall have… Read more »
Dairy Farmers of Canada find friends south of the border
As the clash between the U.S. and Canadian dairy industries escalates in the NAFTA talks, Dairy Farmers of Canada has found some allies in U.S. dairy outside of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Federation. In the National Post on Friday, Darin Von Ruden, who has a 50-cattle, multi-generational farm and heads the… Read more »
NCBA confident NAFTA 2.0 will be good for beef industry
With the NAFTA renegotiations starting this week, officials with the U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) were in Calgary for the Canadian Beef Industry Conference, showing their support for the relationship between the two countries. Representatives from both the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and NCBA plan on heading to Washington for the anticipating beginning of the… Read more »
“This is why you play the games” — John Masswohl on the start of NAFTA talks
Trade and market access are always major topics at cattle industry meetings, but with the renegotiation of NAFTA becoming reality, there was a little extra emphasis on the politics of trade this week at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary. If there were any questions about how unified cattle producer groups from Canada, the… Read more »
Why the U.S. dairy industry is demanding more access to Canada — Mike Opperman
Canada has its sacred cow with milk. That’s well known, but what about the U.S. point of view? Why’s the American dairy industry so set on at least cracking the pillars of Canada’s dairy supply management? The U.S. dairy market is over supplied, and boosting export demand is a solution. It’s very similar to how… Read more »
U.S. dairy industry rejects Canada’s version of dairy trade story
As NAFTA negotiations begin on Wednesday, there’s no question dairy is one of the few agricultural issues where there’s a serious conflict between Canadian and American objectives. On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland released Canada’s list of demands, with protection of supply management for dairy and poultry on the list. Freeland made it clear… Read more »
Is Canada dragging its feet on TPP?
Canada’s heading into the NAFTA renegotiation next week, but a deal that hasn’t been discussed a lot lately is the Trans-Pacific Partnership — and why is that? The U.S. pulled out of TPP and left eleven remaining countries. Canada has participated in all of the meetings post-U.S. pulling out. The Canadian govenrment has provided a… Read more »
Report lists foreign support policies that potentially hurt Canadian agriculture
It’s been over 20 years since most of today’s rules on government agriculture support aimed at reducing trade distorting programs were agreed to in the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Agriculture. Over time, countries have adapted and found ways to circumvent limits and continue providing support to domestic… Read more »
SaskPulse extends levy reduction for another year
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers is extending the temporary reduction of the levy it collects on pulses and soybeans grown in the province for another year, as it draws down its surplus accumulated with record pulse acres and strong prices in recent years. SPG reduced its non-refundable checkoff from 1 to 0.67% of gross sales on August… Read more »
Ottawa names deputy ambassador, advisory council for NAFTA negotiations
With the two week countdown on ahead of NAFTA negotiations, the Canadian government is bolstering its team in Washington and establishing a council to provide advice to Canadian negotiators. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Wednesday that she’s sending Canada’s chief negotiator in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations to Washington as a deputy ambassador. Kirsten Hillman,… Read more »
How did you celebrate wheat and barley marketing freedom day?
Farmers across Western Canada celebrated on Tuesday as it was the fifth anniversary of farmers gaining marketing freedom for wheat and barley, formerly known as ‘board grains’. On August 1, 2012 farmers were given control of marketing their own farm production. Wheat and barley no longer had to be sold through the Canadian Wheat Board’s… Read more »
Canadian dairy groups disappointed with Canada-EU cheese import allocation
Canada’s dairy processors and producers say the federal government has “failed to adequately support its dairy sector” after announcing plans for the allocation of cheese import licenses through the Canada-European Union trade deal (CETA). Canada agreed to tariff rate quotas for nearly 18 million kilograms of annual cheese imports in CETA under two categories: 16… Read more »
Conversations taking place on potential Cigi and Cereals Canada amalgamation
The end of the Canadian Wheat Board as a single desk marketer of Canadian wheat and barley five years ago triggered a number of major changes in Canada’s cereal crop industry. Most of the dust stirred up by dismantling the CWB has settled, but there’s potential for more change. Recognizing gaps left by the end… Read more »