General

The federal/provincial farmer account program AgriInvest is now in place for 2007, meaning $600 million in federal cash to kickstart those accounts will now be delivered. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced Thursday that agreements between Ottawa and the provinces are now in place to implement the new suite of business risk management programs, including […] Read more

The Wal-Mart effect has hit Canada’s grocery store industry, pressuring prices in supermarkets even as Canadian food manufacturers’ margins show steady improvement, according to a year-end review by the George Morris Centre. The agricultural industry think-tank, based in Guelph, Ont., on Tuesday posted its year-end review of Canada’s food industry, authored by senior market analyst […] Read more

Complaints from Canada and Brazil against the United States’ domestic farm support programs are now under formal investigation by a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement body. News services and stakeholders reported Monday that the WTO panel had officially launched its investigation into the multi-billion-dollar U.S. subsidy regime. Canada’s federal government announced in November that […] Read more

Heavier fines for food safety violations and stronger recall powers are among the new measures for food, health and consumer product safety that the federal government plans to legislate in the new year. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the government’s plans Monday in Ottawa, starting with a dialogue with consumer and industry stakeholders in early […] Read more

British Columbia’s revenue minister has launched a review of what qualifies as a farm for local tax purposes. Rick Thorpe announced Monday that a review panel, including representatives from local governments, farmers, BC Assessment and the agriculture, revenue, finance and community services departments, will perform a “comprehensive consultation” with local government and a cross-section of […] Read more

Ontario has pledged $150 million in direct aid and other programs for its cattle, hog and horticulture producers in early 2008. Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky announced the funding Friday, including direct payments of $100 million to cattle and hog producers and $30 million to horticulture producers. “We are responding to the near-record low prices and […] Read more

A new task force on agriculture launched last week by the federal Liberal party is expected to come up with good ideas for the sector, but those ideas will need to be useful in the drafting of a new Canadian ag policy framework, according to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. The CFA reacted in a […] Read more

The federal government will put $565,900 toward development of a national sector organization, the Organic Federation of Canada, to bring together all players in Canada’s organic industry, raise awareness of the sector and help with regulatory development. OFC president Stephanie Wells said in a government release that the funding, announced Monday, will go toward the […] Read more

Canada’s farmers are “well-positioned” to take advantage of emerging tastes and trends in the global market, though success will depend at least partly on effective public policy, according to a report Wednesday by the economics wing of TD Bank Financial Group. The report by Derek Burleton of TD Economics admits that the half-decade since 2002 […] Read more