Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has vowed to analyze the recently-released U.S. Department of Agriculture’s country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rule to “determine the economic impacts on integrated North American markets.” In a July 30 statement, Ritz expressed disappointment with U.S. COOL legislation, saying it “may discriminate against Canadian products.” He also hinted at possible trade action […] Read more
Canada objects to COOL rule
Ontario funds local food initiative
The Ontario government is making a total of $12 million available over four years through the Ontario Market Investment Fund to help promote consumer awareness of Ontario-produced foods and to encourage Ontarians to buy locally. A government release said the program will help develop opportunities through trade events, marketing campaigns and industry research initiatives that […] Read more
Farm leaders, politicians respond to WTO talks collapse
Following the collapse of WTO negotiations earlier this week, Canadian farm leaders and politicians have largely reinforced their previous positions. Trade minister Michael Fortier was quick to say trade remains at the top of the government agenda, despite the fact that Canada was the lone holdout on some measures around supply-managed agricultural commodities. “Canada is […] Read more
Ukraine assistance program extended
A Canadian program to assist Ukrainian farmers in the transition to a more modern economy has been extended for two years. The Canada-Ukraine Facility for Agriculture Reform and Modernization (FARM) Program is managed by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) with partnerships with the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Provincial Governments and the Canadian International Development Agency […] Read more
Saskatchewan crops above average
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crop report for the week ending July 27 says pre-harvest crop production estimates indicate that farmers are expected to harvest 25.35 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds and specialty crops. However, crop reporters said crops are still one to two weeks behind normal for this time of year. This estimate, if realized, would result […] Read more
Manitoba crops look good overall
Manitoba Agriculture’s crop report for the week ending July 28 indicates generally good though variable conditions for Manitoba crops, with some areas needing more rain and others suffering from excess moisture from storms last week. In the southwest, crops progressed well with early canola coming off flower but the majority is in full bloom. Flax […] Read more
Mission Terminal buys Man. elevator
A Winnipeg firm better known for handling Prairie farmers’ producer-car grain shipments is entering the grain handling business itself. Mission Terminal Inc. (MTI), which operates a terminal at Thunder Bay, Ont., has bought a 6,000-tonne-capacity primary grain elevator at Alexander, Man., about 25 km west of Brandon. The company, owned by Winnipeg-based Upper Lakes Grain […] Read more
Soy rust spores reach Ont., Man.
Emphasizing that spores by themselves don’t mean a disease outbreak, the Ontario ag ministry reports soybean rust spores have been found in rainfall samples collected in early July from eastern Ontario through to southern Manitoba. In a newsletter on crop pests released Friday, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) said the […] Read more
Seven Sask. bison die from anthrax
Seven bison on one farm in the northern Saskatchewan municipality of Paddockwood, near Prince Albert, were confirmed Thursday to have died of anthrax, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Friday. The dead animals make up the second separate case of anthrax poisoning in the province this week, the CFIA said, noting one death in a […] Read more
P.E.I. fluid milk prices rise Sept. 1
Prince Edward Island’s minimum wholesale price of fluid milk and cream products will rise two cents a litre on Sept. 1, the P.E.I. Marketing Council announced Thursday. The council did not increase the minimum home delivery price of fluid milk products, chairman Gordon MacBeath said in a provincial release. Distributors are expected to adjust their […] Read more
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