The current drought is testing the current ag policy framework system, with multiple provinces recently requesting AgriRecovery. A timely report on how ag policy is developed between federal, provincial, and territorial governments in the past, present, and future, may shed light on the problems with the current system, in time for the next framework to… Read More
A recent decision by the federal government to put the brakes on any maximum residue limit (MRL) reviews until the spring of 2022 has politicized what should be a non-partisan, science-based regulatory process, says Pierre Petelle. President and CEO of CropLife Canada, Petelle says that it’s somewhat surprising to see the government’s stance and language… Read More
The Ontario government says it will deliver immediate assistance to livestock farmers impacted by drought in northwestern Ontario by committing provincial funding for AgriRecovery. The province is committing up to $5 million in funding for the 40 per cent provincial cost share. The federal government recently announced $100 million for AgriRecover across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,… Read More
Agriculture Minister for Saskatchewan David Marit announced today (August 10) that the province will provide $119 million in direct support for drought-affected cattle producers under the Agri-Recovery framework. The province says the program will provide a per head payment to help maintain breeding stock and will help producers with extraordinary costs caused by the drought,… Read More
The Manitoba government says it will commit $62 million in provincial funding to AgriRecovery programs to help livestock producers affected by this year’s drought. While details were not included in the August 10 announcement, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler says the programs will be designed to “ensure producers have options to retain and care for their… Read More
The Government of Alberta is making $136 million available under the AgriRecovery program, a joint program between the governments of Alberta and Canada, and has asked the federal government to provide an additional $204 million for a total relief package of $340 million. Earlier in the day, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie Claude Bibeau… Read More
The federal government says it has committed $100 million through the AgriRecovery disaster relief framework to helping farmers affected by drought in Western Canada and parts of Ontario. The government says it’s still working with provincial governments of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario to finalize the details of how payments will work, but sources… Read More
The federal government has announced what it calls a “pause” on proposed increases to maximum residue limits (MRLs) on food crops. As a result, there will be no updates to MRLs until at least spring 2022. The pause applies to all MRLs, but the government’s own communications single out glyphosate as one product whose MRL review has… Read More
Trade is so critical to the health of the Canadian economy. With vast natural resources, millions of acres of farmland, and a growing technology sector, Canada is open for business in the global trade arena. But are we really up to the opportunity in front of us as a nation? Some believe that change is… Read More
The federal government and provincial government in Saskatchewan have agreed to give Saskatchewan producers who are in line for AgriStability payments in 2021 more of that money earlier. They have reached a deal to increase the interim payment amount for producers who expect to be eligible for support through the business risk management program due… Read More
By Bill Greuel Canada needs to stop being comfortable. That’s a bold statement, but one I believe to be true if we are going to reach the ambitious targets our agrifood sector aspires to. We often talk about Canada taking our place atop the podium as the most reliable and preferred supplier of safe, nutritious… Read More
India has lowered its tariff on Canadian lentils to 11 per cent, down from the 33 per cent levied against the crop about a year ago. The new tariff rate applies to all lentils, except those from the U.S., which will face a 22 per cent levy. Mac Ross, director of market access and trade… Read More
Drought is having a substantial effect on grain farming and ranching on the Prairies, and recently Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) made changes to how disaster-affected crops can be diverted to help ranchers with their grazing needs. “The dry conditions are certainly having an impact, and I’d say it’s primarily on the west side of… Read More
Lisa Thompson, MPP representing the Ontario riding of Huron-Bruce, recently stepped up to lead the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet, Thompson has held two other cabinet posts, including Minister of Education. She says that even though she is only now moving into the agriculture post, agriculture and… Read More
Following a tour of the drought-stricken Interlake region in Manitoba on Thursday (July 22), the federal agriculture minister announced several measures designed to provide support to producers across the country affected by drought. Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau was accompanied by other government officials, including Conservative MP James Bezan, and representatives from Manitoba Beef Producers, the Canadian… Read More