The European General Court issued a verdict on Thursday upholding the European Commission's decision in 2013 to restrict the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments (neonics). The ruling is seen as a win for the movement to restrict European farmers' access to the chemicals used to prevent pest damage to crops. Neonic manufacturers Bayer and Syngenta,... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Nearly all of Canada's international trade negotiations, at some point, involve discussions about the future of supply management for our dairy and poultry sectors. We've heard the U.S. dairy industry push hard against the supply management system for dairy in NAFTA 2.0 talks, especially Canada's new class 7 pricing. Some Canadians cheer this U.S. rhetoric... Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario wants to see a targeted growth strategy, a focus on business risk management programs, funding for an educational farm demo site, and signed trade agreements out of the next Ontario government. GFO also says it would like to see an exemption on farm fuel costs associated with Climate Change regulations of... Read More
Round eight of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks has been a month-long process of trying to reach common ground in Washington, with the majority of the chapters yet to be closed. This week, U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan informed the trade negotiators that in order for Congress to have a chance to... Read More
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is headed to China for a week-long trade mission. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says MacAulay will be meeting with representatives from several Chinese companies, including e-commerce giant Alibaba, HeMa, and GFresh, to discuss opportunities for Canadian food products in meetings taking place May 14 to 18. He will also attend... Read More
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is currently the subject of heavy debate in the United States, as President Donald Trump tries to satisfy both the farm and energy industries in his base. On one side, you have Ted Cruz (R-TX) working hard on behalf of the refiners to push for changes to the RFS and... Read More
Perhaps you saw it differently if you took in the televised Ontario leaders' debate earlier this week, but from what I saw, Kathleen Wynne is done, Doug Ford did not impress, and — and I can't believe I'm saying this — the NDP's Andrea Horwath knocked it out of the park. It's most certainly Doug... Read More
Updated, May 11: The Liberals in the House of Commons have indicated they will reject the Senate's two latest amendments, sending the bill back to the Senate, however a vote won't be held before May 22nd. The back-and-forth between the House of Commons and the Senate over Bill C-49 continues, as the Senate on Wednesday... Read More
Canada is a very unique country, characterized as a vastly unpopulated nation that has its stereotypes played out by the likes of Bob and Doug McKenzie, Corner Gas, or Jim Carrey's depiction of life in Canada. But really, what defines a Canadian? Unlike countries such as China, Sweden, or even the U.S., with distinct foods... Read More
The grain industry will likely have to wait at least a few more weeks for passage of Bill C-49, the federal legislation containing new rules pertaining to rail transportation. The House of Commons passed Transport Minister Marc Garneau's motion to accept only 10 of the Senate's 19 amendments to the Bill C-49 on Thursday, sending... Read More