Doing right by the environment is a good thing, but what happens when environmental policy and trade start to mingle? There's concern that when environmental issues are generalized and applied globally through trade agreements it creates larger problems by forcing producers to fit standards that do not necessarily apply to their region, possibly discounting conservation... Read More
Category: Ag Policy
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance has hired a new interim executive director. Adam Taylor joined the national organization that represents trade-dependent sectors of Canadian agriculture, effective February 20. Taylor is the president and co-founder of the Ottawa-based trade consulting firm Export Action Global, and was a senior advisor to federal cabinet ministers, including former trade... Read More
Much of the mainstream media has picked up on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit this week with some Quebec farmers at the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) headquarters. I was not at the event, nor have I talked to anyone in attendance, but coverage of the event is focused on farmers painting a very dire... Read More
There's no doubt that conversations have been buzzing in both the Canada and the U.S. when it comes to challenges and issues around electronic trucking logs. Electronic log book laws have been put in place, effective January 1, 2023, in effort to increase safety on the roads, which of course is the number one priority,... Read More
The new president of Manitoba's general farm organization says advocating for farmers when it comes to policies around sustainability and the environment is at the top of her to-do list as she steps into the role. Jill Verwey was elected president of Keystone Agricultural Producers at KAP's annual general meeting last month. As she explains... Read More
In watching all of the tweets, headlines, and instagram posts from across Canada, it's clear our industry knows how to celebrate. That's a great thing — but what about the next steps required? Let me be clear: I think Canada's Ag Day is a great idea, as it brings awareness to the industry with policy... Read More
Farmers and the agriculture industry are still waiting to hear about "What we heard" when it comes to the federal government's fertilizer emissions reduction target. This week, at the Future of Food event at Ottawa, Ont., Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau was quite positive about the timeline of a fertilizer tariff money announcement... Read More
If you're paying attention to social media today — February 15th, 2023 — you'll likely notice those involved in the agriculture industry are celebrating Canada's Agriculture Day across the country. For me, personally, there's no better way to celebrate Canadian agriculture than by catching up with farmers across the country on RealAg Radio, and seeing... Read More
As I make my way across Canada and the U.S. in the first part of 2023, I am very struck by the hatred that farmers have for the word sustainability. It seems that the word spawns real contempt for an urban consumer that misunderstands the activities on the farm. Sustainability is everywhere. It always has... Read More
Lobbying is one way to shape public policy. Lobbying is also a long-game — where building relationships, meeting, and continuing dialogue all play a role in whose issue of the day gets put on the front burner. A government has to decide its priorities across industries, based on its own goals and ideals, and also... Read More