Craig Lester is an Albertan who has attended Food and Agriculture Organization meetings.

Agriculture policy when you’re one of the only farmers in the room

Three Nuffield scholars discuss what it’s like to attend UN agriculture policy forums

The international community regularly convenes to discuss the future of global food and agricultural policy. Whether at the World Food Forum, Committee on Food Security or some related event, agriculture-related policies are frequently made with little input from people directly involved in agriculture. Efforts to change this are ongoing. Why it matters: Agricultural policy set […] Read more



File photo of sunset over port facilities at Odesa. (Mixarde/iStock/Getty Images)

Ukraine could fail to meet future wheat demand if attacks continue, UN agency warns

Report shows 31 attacks on grain facilities since mid-July

United Nations | Reuters — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday that Ukraine’s wheat production may be unable to meet domestic and export demand in the years to come if Black Sea export routes remain blocked and attacks on food infrastructure continue. WFP’s Ukraine director, Matthew Hollingworth, said a forthcoming report […] Read more

File photo of barley being unloaded at a grain terminal in Ukraine on June 23, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Igor Tkachenko)

U.N. held talks in Russia on Monday on grain, fertilizer exports

'Unimpeded access' sought for Ukrainian, Russian grain

United Nations | Reuters — Top United Nations trade official Rebeca Grynspan met with Russian officials in Moscow on Monday for talks aimed at enabling the “unimpeded access” to global markets for grain and fertilizer from Russia and Ukraine, a U.N. spokesperson said. U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths also attended the meetings virtually, U.N. spokesperson […] Read more


File photo of seasonal agriculture workers from Jamaica at Suncrest Orchards near Simcoe, Ont. (Farmtario photo by Diana Martin)

UN rapporteur calls Canada’s TFW system ‘breeding ground for modern slavery’

Tomoya Obokata says government needs to better protect worker rights and provide better residency path

A United Nations special rapporteur on modern slavery has called out Canada’s temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs, including those in the agriculture sector. Tomoya Obokata, who was appointed by the UN’s Human Rights Council, spoke in Ottawa Sept. 6 following a 14-day visit to Canada. He called the programs “a breeding ground for contemporary forms […] Read more

A vessel is seen arriving at Odesa in southern Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative on April 12, 2023. (Photo: Yulii Zozulia/Nurphoto via Reuters Connect)

Russian Agricultural Bank could have SWIFT access within 30 days, U.N. tells Moscow

Russia seeking 'actual exemptions' from sanctions

Reuters — A Russian Agricultural Bank subsidiary in Luxembourg could immediately apply to SWIFT to “effectively enable access” for the bank to the international payments system within 30 days, the United Nations told Russia in a letter, seen by Reuters on Friday. “SWIFT has confirmed that RSHB Capital S.A. would be eligible to apply for […] Read more