The future of any neonicotinoid product being registered for use in Canada is very uncertain, as Health Canada is currently proposing a ban or near ban on all uses of clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid. That said, Ontario’s main farmer organization, Grain Farmers of Ontario, is calling for its province to scrap its provincial restrictios of neonics, and… Read more »
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
Trump threatens tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, citing protection of farmers
In a move most knew was on the way, American President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on $200 billion more of Chinese goods as of next Monday. A news release says he’s imposing the new tariffs, “to protect the interest of working men and women, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and our country itself.” Announced September… Read more »
Foreign direct investment is necessary to hit Canada’s ambitious export goals: economist
There are many who likely bristle at the thought of a foreign country investing in Canada, perhaps because most equate “investment” with “land buying.” But when we’re talking foreign direct investment, in this case, we’re talking about companies investing in Canadian businesses, and vice versa. And, as J.P. Gervais, chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit… Read more »
Trade minister says CPTPP will be among first things House debates
Federal Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr was in Saskatoon last week for the federal Liberal caucus meeting. Carr and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, took the opportunity to address the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in what was billed as a ‘fireside chat’. The discussion focussed mostly on the programs available to… Read more »
As harvest rolls, farmers hope communication will lead to better railway performance
The federal Liberal caucus met in Saskatoon, Sask. this week, providing the opportunity to host a hastily-called roundtable on grain transportation. The roundtable included government representatives, farmers, shippers, and railway executives. The purpose of the meeting, according to a government news release, was to provide “participants with an opportunity to share information, to address challenges,… Read more »
National Food Policy should focus on Indigenous peoples first
When I am completely overwhelmed with the task at hand (which is often), I sit down, make a to-do list, and break the task down into smaller, more achievable steps. I prioritize the most pressing issue first, or the one that simply must happen before the other pieces can fall into place. My hope, in… Read more »
Government releases findings of National Food Policy consultation
Close to 45,000 people responded to an online survey and hundreds of people attended in-person meetings last year to weigh in on the topic of a national food policy for Canada. The government has compiled that feedback into a report, entitled “What we heard report – A Food Policy for Canada,” which was released this week…. Read more »
MacAulay announces $12.1 million for new canola research cluster
The federal government is investing up to $12.1 million over the next five years in a new canola research cluster under the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the funding at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm & Food Discovery Centre south of Winnipeg on Tuesday morning. Provincial canola grower groups — Alberta Canola,… Read more »
New rules allow for whole-plant hemp harvest
Until now, hemp growers in Canada were allowed only to harvest the grain and/or stalk of the plant. In anticipation of the upcoming Cannabis Act set to be implemented in mid-October, Health Canada recently announced a revision to regulations allowing whole-plant harvest of hemp. Why does this matter? Well, although industrial hemp has low levels… Read more »
Canada, U.S. to resume trade talks next week, as Trump notifies Congress on new agreement
An intense round of talks between Canada and the U.S. to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came to an end Friday afternoon without an agreement, but with both sides reporting progress and planning to resume negotiations on Wednesday. “We are continuing to work hard, and we are making progress. We’re not there… Read more »
U.S. ag secretary says Trump wants ethanol fix, as U.S. corn growers voice frustration
U.S. corn growers are voicing concerns and disappointment with their federal administration as the penny-per-bushel trade aid announced earlier this week added to frustrations over retaliatory tariffs and how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is handling ethanol policy. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue tried to allay those concerns at the Farm Progress Show in Boone,… Read more »
Quinclorac MRL approval marks collaborative win for growers and industry
Cleavers is the only loser in the recent approval of a maximum residue limit (MRL) for the active weed-control ingredient quinclorac for use on canola. The resolve by industry to work collaboratively through the international research-based regulatory system means that in 2019, growers will be able to fight cleavers with a new and effective crop… Read more »
Canada’s NAFTA hopes now rest with America’s congress
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around, and never has that been so true perhaps than with politics and current trade talks. Early in the NAFTA 2.0 negotiations the Team Canada approach was to penetrate the U.S. political system at all levels with its NAFTA lobbying. Whether it was governors, U.S. senators, or… Read more »
The Black Sea wheat crop: a first-hand account of what’s out there
There are many ways to gauge growing conditions, estimate yields, and measure exports from overseas, but likely one of the best ways to get a grip on crop production in a foreign land is to ask someone who’s there. Mike Lee, with Green Square Agro Consulting, is an agronomist and crop consultant based in the… Read more »
How we got to a 5-day countdown on NAFTA
It has been an immensely fast-paced day in regards to NAFTA 2.0 talks. Monday began with Mexico and the United States agreeing to a bilateral trade deal that was described as an “understanding.” U.S. President Donald Trump alluded to the fact that NAFTA had a very negative meaning for Americans so he would be giving… Read more »