The U.S. government will announce details of its planned US$12 billion trade aid package for the agriculture sector on Monday, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The package, which was first announced in July, will include direct payments to producers to offset the impact of tariffs on U.S. exports. Sources told Agri-Pulse that the preliminary... Read More
Category: Canadian Agricultural Policy
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is headed out on the second leg of his "Growing Canadian Agriculture" tour, starting in B.C. on Friday. The minister says the tour is an opportunity for him to see and hear firsthand the innovative work being done within the agricultural sector in Canada. "I’m looking forward to head out... Read More
Update: Citing the Conservative Party of Canada's support for supply management as one of his reasons, Maxime Bernier announced on Thursday afternoon that he has left the party with the intention of starting a new federal conservative party. Delegates are arriving in Halifax for the Conservative Party of Canada's policy convention where there will be... Read More
There's new competition coming in the area of farm cash advance administration in Alberta. The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) has announced it will be launching its own program called "FarmCash" to administer advances for Alberta farmers and ranchers through the federal government's Advance Payments Program. Starting September 1, 2018, FarmCash will offer interest-free and low... Read More
Health Canada has proposed banning two of the most commonly used neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) used in Canadian agriculture in the next three to five years following a review of their impact on aquatic insect species. The proposal published on Wednesday would end outdoor agricultural and turf uses for clothianidin, and all outdoor agricultural and ornamental... Read More
The number of commodity groups in Manitoba that are exploring the possibility of amalgamating has dropped from five to four. Following a meeting in late July, the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Association (MWBGA) have decided to continue... Read More
A U.S. lobby group that is closely aligned with the Trump administration on trade policy is trying to bring mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) back into the spotlight through the NAFTA negotiations. The Coalition for a Prosperous America, whose board includes R-CALF USA director Bill Bullard, sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on... Read More
Several provincial and national farm groups say they are disappointed with the Canadian Grain Commission's plan for dealing with its $130 million surplus, and that it underscores the need to update the federal agency's mandate. The surplus has accumulated through user fees charged for grain inspection and other services — costs that were ultimately passed... Read More
Canadian wheat and barley exports have been caught in the escalating diplomatic dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government issued a notice on Tuesday to stop all purchases of wheat and barley from Canada. While the Saudi market isn't a major export destination, the impact will likely be felt in the barley market... Read More
Grain Growers of Canada welcomed four new members at the group's annual summer meeting in Guelph, Ont. last week. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Producteurs de grains du Québec joined the national crop producer policy organization. "From our perspective, GFO needed a strong voice in Ottawa that represented farmers," noted GFO... Read More