Funding for organic farming, “green” farming, farmer co-ops and farm safety nets are on Jack Layton’s to-fund list in the New Democratic Party’s new agriculture platform. NDP leader Layton released the party’s full platform Sunday in Toronto, with just over two weeks before a federal election. Among other points, the NDP’s platform proposes a series […] Read more
NDP goes green in ag platform
Yukon to consolidate land management
The Yukon government plans to shift its land planning branch to its energy, mines and resources (EMR) department to “improve the disposition of land” to territory residents. That branch, now part of the community services department, will move to EMR effective April 1, 2009, the government said in a release Monday. EMR’s sustainable resources division […] Read more
Natural Valley Farms in receivership: reports
Natural Valley Farms, one of several bids in the wake of BSE to boost beef slaughter capacity on the eastern Prairies, has gone into receivership, according to Saskatchewan media reports last week. CBC Saskatchewan on Thursday quoted company director Henry Skjerven as saying investors lost control of the company after it defaulted on a loan […] Read more
Manitoba to back Dauphin hemp processor
A processing facility to make residential-grade insulation and animal bedding from Manitoba-grown hemp fibre is moving toward spadework with $4 million in provincial investment. The Manitoba government pledged $4 million in loans and grants Friday for Parkland Biofibre’s proposed $20 million processing plant at Dauphin in the province’s agricultural northwest. The facility, when built, would […] Read more
Vegetable fungicide offers new chemistry
Syngenta Crop Protection has picked up what’s known as a “NAFTA label” for registration of a new fungicide for vegetable crops across Canada. The company’s Canadian wing on Friday announced the registration of Revus, which it said protects against oomycete fungi in crops including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, brassica vegetables, bulb vegetables, cucurbit vegetables, leafy vegetables […] Read more
Conservatives pledge “AgriFlex”-style program
A re-elected Conservative federal government will put up $500 million over four years to work with Canada’s provinces on an “agricultural flexibility” program, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said Thursday. A federal/provincial flexibility program will deliver “region-specific programs that help farm families cope with the costs of production pressures, promote innovation, ensure environmental sustainability, and respond […] Read more
Que. backs expanded food research at Laval
Laval University’s Institute for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (INAF) is planning an $8 million-plus expansion of its Quebec City facilities. Provincial Ag Minister Laurent Lessard on Friday announced a $6.536 million grant toward the project, which will involve expansion, renovation and the purchased of new specialized equipment, the province said in a release. The project […] Read more
Alta. livestock agency adds three directors
Alberta’s provincial government has named three more prominent ag industry figures to its new Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA). “Hisakazu Hayakawa, Jeff Kroll and Kim McConnell all have diverse areas of expertise and are recognized as leaders in fields that are crucial to the success of ALMA,” Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld said in a […] Read more
B.C. launches local food project guide
British Columbia’s provincial government has released a new resource guide for local governments on how to improve local access to healthy foods. “We’re pleased to support A Seat at the Table, which helps provide local governments with some practical workable ideas they can use in their own communities to help ensure more locally grown food […] Read more
Sask. to double annual VIDO funding
The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) will soon get an extra $1.7 million per year from the provincial government for study of infectious diseases and development of vaccines for animals and people. The commitment brings the Saskatchewan government’s annual funding for VIDO up to $3.5 million, the province said in a […] Read more
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