Reading Time: 3 minutes The Canadian Federation of Agriculture wants the federal government to provide immediate stimulus to farmers through business risk management (BRM) programs as part of its ongoing response to COVID-19. At a recent board meeting, the organization representing about 200,000 farmers across Canada passed motions calling for increased funding to the AgriInvest BRM program — and […] Read more
Author Archives
CFA seeks immediate cash for farmers
Farm and industry leaders say more needed beyond measures already announced
Meat packing sector needs federal inspectors
Shared staff, recalling recent retirees among options on table
Reading Time: 2 minutes The federal government is working on ways it can maintain inspection staffing levels at federally-licensed meat packing plants. Speaking to media Saturday in Ottawa, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau addressed concerns surrounding the ability of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to continue meat inspection work. The Reuters news service on Monday quoted two unnamed sources […] Read more
Federal COVID-19 response for ag sector remains unclear
Imports of farm labour, crop inputs among concerns
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada’s agriculture sector is waiting on details of a federal response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as its concerns pile up. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has stated it understands “the importance of a stable labour force enabling Canadian food supply, and (is) committed to giving Canadians and businesses the support they need” but is not […] Read more
Ottawa roundup: Carbon tax, Grain Act review, Horticultural Council AGM
Reading Time: 3 minutes Despite much of the world’s focus being on slumping stock markets and a global pandemic, there are several recent developments out of Ottawa related to agriculture: Canada Grain Act Canada’s Treasury Board has identified the Canada Grain Act as a piece of legislation in need of regulatory reform. This has been on the federal Liberal […] Read more
Poultry, egg farmers renew call on feds for CPTPP compensation
No timeline yet provided for remaining funds
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada’s poultry and egg farmers say they are disappointed no compensation has yet been put in place for domestic market share given up under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact. Egg Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada and Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, in a recent release, said […] Read more
Impacts on ag expected as COVID-19 rocks markets
Farmers urged to manage expenses
Reading Time: 4 minutes Stocks continuing to plunge during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have left agricultural producers in Canada concerned about the potential impact. Thursday marked the biggest drop in Canadian stocks in 80 years, highlighted by many economists warning the country is on the brink of recession. Beyond growing fears of COVID-19’s economic impact, oil and gas stocks […] Read more
Fraser: What will be the long-term impact of COVID-19?
Analysis: A pandemic runs the risk of driving nations further apart
Reading Time: 2 minutes As developments around the COVID-19 coronavirus change rapidly, I can’t help but speculate on the longer-term effects of it. By now, much has been made of the economic impact it — alongside the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil trade war — will have on global economies. While it’s guesswork to estimate the total impact without knowing how […] Read more
Business risk management program reforms in development
Changes expected to be announced in July
Reading Time: 3 minutes Recommendations are now being crafted for Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on how to improve business risk management (BRM) programs for farmers in Canada. It’s expected changes to BRM programs will be announced in July when Bibeau and her provincial counterparts meet in Guelph. The recommendations are coming after a study by MPs on the Commons […] Read more
Industry supports bill to regulate barn invasions
The federal private members bill increases fines for trespass that threatens animals
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – The growing issue of on farm protests threatening the health and safety of animals is the subject of a private member’s bill recently introduced to the House of Commons. Conservative Party of Canada agriculture critic John Barlow introduced the bill with the goal of punishing those responsible for on farm protests. Why […] Read more
Dairy farmers look forward to CUSMA compensation
Federal agriculture minister says the funds will come, but no timeline has been set
Reading Time: 3 minutes Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau again committed to offering compensation to dairy farmers as a result of the CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) deal. She told an audience at the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) annual policy conference in Ottawa Feb. 4-6, that supply management is a “social contract” that needs protecting. Why it matters: Dairy […] Read more
Sign up now for the FREE Farmtario eNewsletter, your daily Ontario farm and production news delivered to your inbox and you will be automatically entered to WIN a New Holland Compact Tractor PLUS Mower!