The demand side of the Ontario corn balance sheet is poised to grow with the provincial government proposing to double its ethanol mandate for gasoline from five percent to 10 percent by 2020. "We currently have the five percent mandate in place and it takes at least about a third of the corn production in... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
Earlier this week, China agreed to expand access for Canadian beef, committing to establishing the documentation requirements and fully implementing the 2016 bone-in beef agreement. The country also agreed to establish a pilot project to allow chilled beef and pork imports from Canada. China agrees to pilot project for chilled Canadian beef and pork John... Read More
Both Canada and the United States released their export numbers for the month of October this week and there are some interesting takeaways. Fresh off last week's third quarter GDP numbers that were dragged down by weak exports, the Statistics Canada trade data pushlished on Tuesday showed rebounding exports. Canada's trade deficit shrank to a... Read More
China agreed to expand access for Canadian beef and pork during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to Beijing this week. After agreeing in-principle to allow imports of Canadian frozen bone-in beef last year, China committed to establishing the documentation requirements and fully implementing the 2016 bone-in beef agreement. A pilot project has also been established... Read More
In the first half of 2017, I repeatedly supported the Trudeau government on their trade strategy. They seemed to be focused on diversifying Canadian trade away from the U.S., altering the negotiation strategy based on the opponent, and establishing strong starts in Asia where the future global GDP growth will transpire. I have changed my... Read More
Farm groups were quick to show their support as Saskatchewan Environment Minister Dustin Duncan unveiled his government's "Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy" on Monday. The province says the plan is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, without implementing a carbon tax. (Download the strategy text by clicking here.) “This plan is... Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is welcoming the Ontario government's proposal to increase its ethanol mandate in gasoline from 5 to 10 percent in 2020. The province's environment ministry published draft amendments last week to update the renewable fuel regulations under the province's Environmental Protection Act. “We are pleased to see the Ontario government committed... Read More
The Chinese government could move forward on allowing imports of three canola traits that have been awaiting Chinese approval for five years during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit this week, according to a report from Global News. However, some canola seed industry stakeholders are skeptical that full approvals will be announced in the next few... Read More
With 1.38 billion people and a growing economy, it's impossible to ignore the opportunity in exporting to China. But the opportunity is not without obstacles, with concerns about the communist country's process for regulatory approval, human rights, and lack of accountability in protecting intellectual property rights. The Hon. Stockwell Day was Canada's Minister of International... Read More
Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government introduced new legislation on Thursday aimed at protecting wetlands, while simplifying minor drainage maintenance. The Sustainable Watersheds Act also lays the foundation for an ecological goods and services program that would see farmers receive incentives for implementing best management practices that are in the public good, such as grassland and wetland... Read More