Category: Ag Policy

Despite major concerns from farmers, the European Union's proposed Farm to Fork strategy received a show of support from members of the European Parliament last week. The policy, which the European Commission says is aimed at making the EU's food systems "fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly," would introduce significant restrictions to the amount of pesticides, fertilizers,... Read More

Drought by definition, we can likely agree on. But take it on a case by case scenario, and you quickly realize it can mean a million different things. Everyone has a different perspective of dry, and that perception can change depending what year of drought it is. On a grain and oilseed farm, there is... Read More

What's potentially on the desk for the next agriculture minister? What should be in the new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's mandate letter? Host Kelvin Heppner is joined by Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, for this episode of RealAg Politics. McCann recently wrote his own mandate letter of what... Read More

The advent of a global pandemic certainly added volume to the narrative that local equals resilient when it comes to economies, especially food-related economic systems. But Jayson Lusk, food and agricultural economist at Purdue University, says that evidence suggests otherwise, and that a vibrant trade economy actually adds resiliency to local economies. To demonstrate his... Read More

Canada's economy is recovering during the prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit slowly. Ted Mallett, director of economic forecasting with the Conference Board of Canada, points to several positive signs and circumstances to the recovery. For one, the economy has grown this year, about five per cent, however there is ground to make up,... Read More

Throughout this past summer, Senator Rob Black spent time away from the Senate touring farms and agricultural facilities across Canada. The reasoning? To learn more about agriculture's work, industry concerns, pandemic challenges, and opportunities for the future, as Senator Black has a focus on agriculture and agri-food, rural spaces, and youth in the Senate. "If... Read More

The Canadian government is counting on a 30 per cent reduction in emissions from nitrogen fertilizer by 2030 to reach its international climate change commitments, but unless there are changes to the way emissions are calculated, it appears farming practices that are proven to reduce emissions from fertilizer would not be counted toward meeting the... Read More

Fertilizer Canada has released details of a report, compiled by Meyers Norris Penny (MNP), that aims to outline the significant impact a regulated reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use would have on farmers' bottom lines. The Government of Canada has announced an "aspirational" goal of 30 per cent absolute emissions reduction target for on-farm fertilizer use... Read More

There are no indications China will be lifting restrictions on Canadian canola imports as a direct response to the exchange of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou for Canadians' Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, according to the president of the Canola Council of Canada. The two Michaels returned to Canada on Friday following a deal negotiated by... Read More

Now that the 2021 election is complete and we know who will be returning to Ottawa once Parliament resumes, the focus shifts to cabinet appointments and the upcoming throne speech. As of Friday, Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau has not yet held a post-election press conference, saying he wants to wait until all the votes have... Read More