(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Rookie MP named Bloc’s agriculture critic

The Bloc Quebecois has tapped a rookie Montreal-area MP from its expanded 10-member caucus to serve as its new critic for agriculture and agri-food. Simon Marcil won the newly created riding of Mirabel in last month’s election by a spread of 837 votes over Mylene Freeman, the incumbent NDP MP for Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel and the party’s […] Read more

(Harrisvaccines.com)

Merck to buy Harrisvaccines to boost livestock portfolio

Chicago | Reuters — Merck and Co.’s animal health unit will buy privately-held Harrisvaccines to expand its portfolio of animal vaccines as the U.S. livestock industry seeks new defenses against diseases, the companies said on Thursday. Financial details were not disclosed. The deal, which is expected to close by year-end, follows rival Zoetis’ agreement, announced […] Read more


(File photo)

NDP’s deputy ag critic moves to first chair

The federal New Democrats have promoted their deputy agriculture critic to the lead post in their new shadow cabinet. NDP leader Tom Mulcair on Thursday announced Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the MP for the central Quebec riding of Berthier–Maskinonge since 2011, as the party’s critic for agriculture and agri-food, replacing defeated Niagara-area MP Malcolm Allen. Brosseau, […] Read more



(PortSeattle.org)

Japan, White House rule out re-opening TPP pact

Reuters — Japan and the Obama administration on Tuesday rejected calls from some U.S. lawmakers to consider re-opening a Pacific trade deal and said any renegotiation attempt could scupper the whole pact. “Renegotiation is not an option,” Caroline Atkinson, Obama’s deputy national security adviser for international economics, said on a call hosted by the Atlantic […] Read more

(Co-operator image by Shannon VanRaes)

MacAulay favours TPP deal, poised for trade fight with U.S.

Winnipeg | Reuters –– Canada’s new agriculture minister said Tuesday he likely will support the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiated by the previous government, and is inclined to retaliate against the U.S. over a long-standing meat-labeling dispute. The Liberal government, elected last month, has not taken a firm position yet on whether it will support TPP, which […] Read more


(Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Laura Rance)

Manitoba extends fertilizing deadline to Saturday

A warmer-than-usual November has allowed Manitoba’s conservation and water stewardship department to delay its winter fertilizing ban until Saturday (Nov. 14). With soil temperatures not yet at the freezing point, the province announced Monday it would extend its deadline for spreading of phosphorus and/or nitrogen, including synthetic fertilizers and/or manure, to Nov. 14 from Nov. […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol, VisitTheCapitol.gov)

White House may have to renegotiate on TPP, senator says

Washington | Reuters –– A key U.S. senator said on Friday the Obama administration may have to renegotiate parts of a Pacific trade pact, heralding a tough battle to win support in Congress. The administration notified lawmakers Thursday it plans to sign the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, starting a countdown to a congressional vote that could […] Read more

Saputo’s Canadian dairy division includes brands such as Dairyland, Neilson, Nutrilait, Baxter and Armstrong. (Dave Bedard photo)

TPP deal to pressure Canadian dairy farmers, Saputo says

Reuters — Canadian farmers will get squeezed between new trade deals that allow more dairy imports to enter the country and slow-growing domestic consumption, Saputo’s CEO said on Thursday. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is expected to open access for New Zealand, the U.S. and other countries to 3.5 per cent of the Canadian market, […] Read more