Canada’s new agriculture minister has instructed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to reduce red tape and harmonize certain regulations with trading partners. “I’ve established an agreement with the CFIA that they are going to be taking forward measures to reduce red tape, to be able focus on the registration of farm products more quickly,… Read More

“This too shall pass” is a Persian proverb used to encourage hope when times are difficult. Does this saying apply to the current U.S. President’s confrontational approach to allies and friends? Does it apply to the U.S. administration’s isolationist trade policies and tariffs? It probably does apply in the long-term, but today, hope is in… Read More

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) has joined a growing list of national agriculture groups that are cutting ties with the federal government’s “Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.” The national cattle producer organization sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Thursday, Dec. 19, informing the minister of the association’s withdrawal from the government’s SAS advisory committee…. Read More

The demise of global trade as politicians push protectionist policies is overstated, says the head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Exports remain critical for food security and maximizing the value of surplus ag production in the U.S., says Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO, speaking with RealAg’s Shaun Haney about the state of U.S…. Read More

Canada’s red meat industry is preparing to open an advocacy office in Beijing, with the goal of increasing the presence of Canadian pork and beef in the Chinese market. The Canadian Meat Advocacy Office will be a collaboration between the Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Pork Council, and Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Staff at the office, which… Read More

Trade-focused agri-food industries are hailing the successful conclusion of negotiations of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), announced by the Prime Minister’s Office November 15. “CAFTA has long supported Canada’s efforts to reach agreement on a CEPA with Indonesia, with its population of some 275 million people and growing middle class,” says Greg Northey,… Read More

Trade in Canada’s agriculture sectors depend not only on having reliable products to take to market, and the capacity to get them there, but also on industry advocacy and the ability to lobby the government for the needs of each sector. Stephen Heckbert, executive director of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), says that their organization’s… Read More

As the calendar moves toward 2025, global pork producers, despite improving profitability, continue to face challenges from trade, disease and demand uncertainties. In its recent report on global pork markets, Rabobank says these questions as well as the potential impacts of political instability and La Niña further complicate a market that is currently experiencing a… Read More