There’s palpable frustration on farms in Europe and it’s spilling from the countryside into political action – and success. The BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) in the Netherlands, also known as the Farmer-Citizen Movement, has in five years grown from grassroots to gaining the largest percentage of votes in the Netherlands provincial elections last spring. It is now […] Read more
Tag Archives politics — page 4
Opinion: Farmer frustration finds political success in Europe
Senate report calls for soil strategy, national soil advocate
The two-year study recognizes conservation efforts over recent decades but finds there is more to be done
A recently released Senate committee report says Canada requires a long-term soil conservation and protection strategy. Ontario Senator Rob Black said the strategy is a priority among the report’s 25 recommendations and should contain concrete targets, regularly reviewed timelines and provisions, a government-appointed national soils advocate, and designation of soil as a strategic national asset. […] Read more
G7 leaders launch initiative for global food security
Bari, Italy | Reuters – Group of Seven leaders have pledged to step up efforts against global malnutrition, according to a draft statement on Friday that noted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had “aggravated” the world’s food problems. The G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative (AFSI) – named after the Southern Italian region hosting the leaders’ summit – will […] Read more
Family farms at risk from higher capital gains rates: GGC
[UPDATED: June 11, 2024] Glacier FarmMedia – Looming changes to Canada’s capital gains inclusion rates will increase average taxes by 30 per cent on the country’s family-run grain farms, putting their futures at risk, according to research conducted by the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC). “Our research shows that an average grain farm in Canada, […] Read more
Canada-U.K. free trade talks remain comatose
Upcoming election in the United Kingdom may explain why little short-term hope remains on the trade agreement front
Glacier FarmMedia – One year ago, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak published an open letter to farmers in his country. Released May 16, 2023, it focused on agricultural trade and British government priorities for future free trade deals. Why it matters: Trade talks between the United Kingdom and Canada fell apart earlier this year. Sunak […] Read more
France revamps pesticide reduction plan in wake of farmer unrest
Paris | Reuters – France unveiled on Monday a revised plan to halve pesticide use in the European Union’s biggest agricultural producer, pledging to adopt an EU indicator and boost research into alternatives in a nod to grievances voiced in farmer protests this year. Why it’s important Environmental regulation was one of the main factors […] Read more
Opinion: Animal welfare law impacts predictable, yet surprising
Glacier FarmMedia – California’s Proposition 12 has become a fascinating case study of voter-consumer behaviours as data emerges on the effects of its newly imposed animal welfare laws. More importantly, it’s a case study with ominous overtones for Canadian farmers. USDA economists recently released analysis tracking the early impacts of a law that sets minimum […] Read more
MPs and business leaders push for rural connectivity in Canada
Labour, internet access among the challenges in rural communities discussed at the recent Recognizing Rural Canada event
Politicians and business leaders spoke about the importance of connectivity and attention to rural communities at an April 10 panel in Ottawa. The Recognizing Rural Communities discussion was led by former MP and Conservative Party interim leader Candice Bergen and consisted of two panels, one with politicians and one with industry stakeholders. Why it matters: […] Read more
Farmers organize tractor rally to protest carbon tax hike
Whitby-area MPs given letters by farmers concerned over added costs to them and consumers
Ontario farmers led a tractor procession from Kawartha Lakes to Whitby earlier this month on April 9 to protest the recent increase to the carbon tax. They delivered letters to Liberal MPs Ryan Turnbull, Mark Holland and Jennifer O’Connell in which they expressed dismay about the increase, which raised carbon prices to $80 per tonne […] Read more
Editorial: The value in byelection all-candidates meetings
Byelections are interesting because they don’t carry the same baggage as a general election, when candidates are more controlled by defined party policy. They also provide a chance for agriculture to reach the top of the agenda in regions where it dominates. I live in the north corner of the sprawling Lambton-Kent-Middlesex riding, where a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
