For decades, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture has provided pointed advice to provincial politicians seeking to win power in the country's most populous province. Typically, the provincial farm organization could be counted on to lobby for infrastructure investment and renewed commitment to support stronger risk management and cutting red tape. Those issues are still priorities,... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
As round five of the NAFTA talks comes to a close in Mexico, it seems that the negotiating logjam is unchanged, at least on the surface. This round held did not include ministers, so it was more technical in nature, which created the opportunity for details. It sounds like Canada and Mexico have changed their... Read More
With taxation troubles, trade missteps and realigning political forces across Canada’s political landscape, it appears Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s love-in with Canadians is drawing to a close. That’s the view National Post columnist Andrew Coyne shared with 500 delegates attending the Grain World conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba last week. Trudeau has had a couple of... Read More
Editor's note: This letter was submitted by Jeff Nonay in response to a column written by Shaun Haney that was published on Nov. 13th. Nonay and his wife Coralee own and operate Lakeside Dairy, a diversified farming operation near Edmonton, Alberta bringing to market milk, beef, grain and seed potatoes. In your recent post “Hey... Read More
India’s decision to add a 50 percent import duty on peas is designed to help the country become self-sufficient in pulses, and the government appears to be steadfast in its commitment, says one of India's largest international pulse brokers. Anurag Tulshan, managing director of Esarco Exim Pvt Ltd, told delegates attending the Grain World conference... Read More
It really seems that NAFTA is on thin ice, and this proverbial frozen trade pond seems to be full of cracks. North American agriculture is holding its breath before it's plunged into the cold water under that ice, except, there is one agriculture group that has nothing to lose. They're standing on land, by themselves:... Read More
After a dramatic few days where Canada's future in the Trans-Pacific Partnership appeared uncertain, the 11 countries tried to end the week on a positive note. All 11 have agreed on "core elements" for a revised Pacific trade deal, but they are still negotiating several files as leaders head home from Vietnam. "Ministers are pleased... Read More
Multiple media outlets, including Reuters and Inside Trade, are reporting an agreement-in-principle has been reached between the 11 remaining countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations in Vietnam this week. However, Canada's trade minister denies there's a tentative deal, a day before world leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S President Donald Trump and Chinese President... Read More
In a move to support domestic prices after a bumper crop, India's government has announced a 50 percent import duty on peas, while also raising its tariff on wheat from 10 to 20 percent. The country's Central Board of Excise and Customs issued an order on Wednesday seeking to "increase rate of basic customs duty... Read More
Just leave it alone. Don't ask for too much and jeopardize a deal that could potentially be finalized this weekend. That's what Canadian agriculture groups representing farmers who depend on trade are telling the Ottawa as leaders from the remaining 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership countries head to Vietnam. The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance sent a strongly-worded... Read More