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Planning for climate change and sustainable meat production are just two action items an upcoming summit will address.
News

Policy proposals released ahead of Food Systems Summit

International and Canadian groups have identified food system and agriculture goals

By
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ahead of the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit, a lengthy list of “game changing” action items have been released by organizers, including proposals for integrating climate plans across nations and developing a “responsible meat” initiative. Taking place in September, many expect the Summit to launch new strategies for achieving the international communities’ 17 development goals.  […] Read more
Opinion: Stop selling false hope for historical carbon efforts
News

Opinion: Stop selling false hope for historical carbon efforts

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Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers holding out hope that historical efforts to sequester carbon will earn them credit on a newly-created market should accept a hard truth. It isn’t happening. They should have accepted disappointment long ago, but are continuously sold false hopes by their leaders. Globally, putting a price on carbon and offering the opportunity to buy and […] Read more
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, shown here with Craig Riese (l) of Keystone Agricultural Producers and Manitoba Beef Producers president Tyler Fulton, speaks on July 22, 2021 at The Forks in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Tax deferrals, crop insurance changes en route against drought

Assessments underway for AgriRecovery, minister says

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Reading Time: 5 minutes Updated — As the federal government looks to manage impacts of ongoing drought conditions in Canada’s West, producers in parts of five provinces can already expect to be eligible for the livestock tax deferral program. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced Thursday in Winnipeg that producers in drought-designated areas of southern Alberta, southeastern British Columbia, northwestern […] Read more
File photo of the produce section at a Canadian grocery store. (FatCamera/E+/Getty Images)

Industry-led code of conduct for food retailers on horizon

Fees create 'uncertainty' for producers, processors

By
Reading Time: 2 minutes A report from a federal-provincial working group says the retail sector has levied an increasing number of fees on suppliers, and is proposing the formation of a code of conduct as a potential solution. Canada’s agriculture ministers are now calling on industry to lead the process. They had formed the working group to study the […] Read more
Shipping containers at a seaport in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Markets, News

Market access a priority in Indonesia negotiations

First round of negotiations expected later this year

By
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada’s consultations on a potential free trade deal with Indonesia demonstrate a strong appetite for negotiations to continue.  The two nations are expected to launch formal talks this year.  Why it matters: Canadian agricultural exporters hope a trade pact with Indonesia will stabilize and strengthen their market access to the Asia-Pacific region. Already 78 per […] Read more
What gives Canada the moral high ground in negotiations with Indonesia and other Asia-Pacific nations?
News

Opinion: Focus on social issues slows trade deals

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian producers who eagerly await a trade pact with major Asian markets will have to exercise patience and should be prepared for some nauseating moral posturing by politicians. Bilateral talks with Indonesia are expected to formally open this year, setting the stage for broader negotiations involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a block […] Read more
Opinion: Expectations should be low for UN food summit
News

Opinion: Expectations should be low for UN food summit

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian producers won’t be able to rest on previous efforts at the upcoming United Nations’ Food Systems Summit and if current sentiments continue, they should prepare for disappointment.  Planned to take place in New York this September, the summit will look to launch new strategies to deliver on the UN’s 17 development goals.  In Canada, […] Read more
Eggs are one of the supply management sectors that gave up market access in recent trade deals.
News

Commodity groups split over supply management trade limit

A proposal would prevent the government from giving up any more of the market in trade negotiations

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes Commodity groups are split along predictable lines over a proposed law that would exclude supply managed commodities from future trade negotiations.  Bill C-216 was introduced as a private member’s bill by Bloc Quebecois MP Louis Plamondon as a means of protecting supply management. If passed, federal negotiators would not be able to involve tariffs or […] Read more
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves a news conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on June 25, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

Parliament rises as farm succession bill passes

Manitoba MP's private member's bill clears Senate

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Reading Time: 3 minutes With the possibility of a fall election looming, MPs rose from the House of Commons on Wednesday, marking the end to a parliamentary session featuring a handful of laws impacting agriculture. Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire saw his private member’s bill, aimed at lowering taxes on the sales of farms and other small businesses, pass in […] Read more
Free COVID-19 course available for foreign workers, employers
News

Free COVID-19 course available for foreign workers, employers

Guides available in English, French and Spanish

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Reading Time: 2 minutes An online course is being launched to help producers and international farm workers protect themselves from COVID-19.  The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is offering the free guide in English, French and Spanish.  Participants will learn methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19, which has caused deaths and illnesses on Canadian farms […] Read more

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