Canada still has a good shot at ratifying its trade deal with the European Union, despite turmoil within the EU, according to Canadian government officials. The United Kingdom’s recent referendum vote to leave the EU doesn’t legally change the ratification of the Canada/EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) in any way, a federal official said […] Read more
Canada/EU trade pact seen possible despite headwinds
Quebec again ponders mandatory GMO labelling
Quebec’s agriculture minister has telegraphed an interest in following the lead of a next-door neighbour to require mandatory labelling for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The province’s governing Liberals previously called for such a system, making a GMO label law part of their election platform back in 2003, but have been quiet about their […] Read more
CP, Teamsters dispute railway’s staffing obligations
Canadian Pacific Railway is refuting claims from one of its employees’ unions that the company is in “violation of the law” over layoffs of track maintenance staff. Calgary-based CP last month announced temporary layoffs effective June 30 affecting about 500 maintenance-of-way crew positions. On Tuesday it cited “business ebbs and flows associated with global markets […] Read more
Farmers crossing their fingers as crops seen very healthy
Risk for sclerotinia seen as very high for some canola growers
The crops bordering Highway 3, between Glaslyn and Turtleford, are even and lush. Canola is blooming. Peas are flowering. Crops look so good, “it’s kind of scary,” said Geoff Schick, assistant location manager at AgriTeam in Glaslyn, Sask. And it’s not only farmers in north-western Saskatchewan who are crossing their fingers for a bumper crop. […] Read more
Mexico to accept OTM Canadian beef this fall
Mexico will resume “fully normalized” trade in beef products with Canada starting Oct. 1, accepting imports of Canadian beef from cattle over 30 months old (OTMs). The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canadian Meat Council announced the move in separate releases Tuesday, following a joint statement by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Prime Minister Justin […] Read more
Breeding cattle get market access to Turkey
Exporters of Canadian breeding cattle expect to see another $4.5 million per year in business from a new agreement for market access to Turkey, according to the federal government. Canada’s Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday announced an agreement with Turkey on export certificates for Canadian breeding cattle effective “immediately.” […] Read more
Earls locks in Canadian beef supplies
Vancouver-based dining chain Earls has enlisted a handful of Canadian ranchers and processors to supply beef to about half its stores while matching its criteria for animal care and “ethical farming practices.” The move comes about six weeks after Earls retreated from a plan to source its beef from Creekstone Farms, choosing the Kansas company […] Read more
Olymel plans major expansion for Quebec hog plant
The meat packing arm of Quebec’s La Coop federee has budgeted $25 million for a major expansion project at its hog slaughter and butchering plant at St-Esprit, Que. Olymel’s expansion plan, announced Tuesday, is expected to bring the plant’s floor space to over 215,000 square feet, up by about 35,000 square feet, and boost its […] Read more
Audit rips New Brunswick’s oversight of ag fairs
New Brunswick’s provincial government plans to update the legislation governing agricultural fair associations, following an audit that criticizes several departments for lack of oversight on the fair organizations. Given ag fairs’ charitable gaming privileges and exemptions available for property and income taxes, Auditor General Kim MacPherson found “limited provincial processes to monitor compliance” with the […] Read more
Postal workers pledge to move bees, chicks if striking
Canada Post and its unionized staff have agreed to set up a system in which workers would volunteer to move live animals, such as day-old chicks or bees, during a strike or lockout. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said Tuesday it has a new agreement with the Crown corporation to move and deliver social […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
