Category: Ag Policy

When the Harmony Beef plant closed for three days in late March, it was a warning of bigger problems ahead. After a couple weeks of beef slaughter plant slow-downs or closures in North America — including in Alberta, at Cargill in High River and JBS at Brooks — producers are very concerned on how the... Read More

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is asking the federal government for "immediate, meaningful help" for Canada's food and farming industry. During a press conference, Mary Robinson, president of the CFA, warned that without immediate assistance from the federal government, the Canadian agriculture sector cannot ensure our domestic food supply will remain secure for the... Read More

There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a huge impact on the global economy. The major disruption to food supply chains is one that will have a significant impact on domestic policy, infrastructure investment, and trade patterns in both the short and long term. Al Mussell, research lead with Agri-Food Economic Systems,... Read More

Meat coolers are going to look a lot different as we navigate COVID-19, but according to the Canadian Meat Council, each step of the livestock processing chain is collaborating, communicating, and committed to keeping food moving to grocery stores. Chris White, president and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council, says the livestock processing sector is... Read More

During the NAFTA renegotiations, it was continually reinforced by Canada and the U.S. that the beef supply chain between the two countries is highly integrated. From a trade perspective many look at this as a positive, but that does mean we share in market risk. Early on Monday, April 13, RealAgriculture was notified by feedyards... Read More

After four years of dialogue, the members of Cereals Canada and the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) have approved the merger of their organizations into a single structure. The new organization will operate under the Cereals Canada banner, with a division continuing to carry the Cigi brand, which is well-known among international customers of Canadian... Read More

The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling on both the federal and Manitoba governments to adopt a "whole-of-government" approach to food security, which includes immediately adopting a strategic approach to emergency preparedness for the Canadian food supply chain. This request is in response to supply-chain disruptions due to COVID-19. It is crucial that Canadians can... Read More

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is recommending the immediate reinstatement of a set-aside program that was implemented during the BSE era to address the challenges with beef processing capacity being created by COVID-19. The CCA says it's in discussions with the federal government about implementing the program to encourage producers to hold cattle longer when... Read More

There is plenty of concern across the agriculture sector during this time of crisis, especially when it comes to labour shortages. In order to keep the supply chain open, we need access to workers that are trained to do the job. Plenty of packing plants are facing weeks' worth of closures, while some are facing... Read More

The decision to close a processing plant as it relates to COVID-19 infection of staff is a complicated one. Food processing plants have strict protocols and clear guidance on food safety issues, but the advent of a human disease pandemic is a new territory for all — processors included. Ultimately, the decision to close a... Read More