Just weeks before the World Trade Organization rules on the U.S. government's final appeal to maintain mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a report to the House and Senate agriculture committees on Friday saying the meat labeling laws have little, if any, measurable economic benefit. The USDA's economic... Read More
Category: Canadian Agricultural Policy
Some call it a tax, others a subsidy, but those selling the carbon cap and trade model for Ontario call it a boon for the economy, agriculture included. Recently, Ontario’s premier, Kathleen Wynne, announced the province was committed to the establishment of a cap and trade system to “address climate change by limiting sources of... Read More
In theory, price transparency is required for a free market to be efficient. In reality, farmers like to know they’re getting a fair value for their grain. A lack of transparency was seen by some producers as one of the reasons why the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly needed to be dismantled. That wish was granted... Read More
Grain Farmers of Ontario is asking the province of Ontario to extend past key planting dates the consultation period regarding new neonicotinoid regulations. "This request is within the spirit of the rules for the Environmental Registry consultations," says GFO. The registry's own website says, ‘Some proposals may provide more time (e.g. 60 days or 90... Read More
Farmers and fishing businesses will save a projected $50 million in taxes over the next five years thanks to another increase to the Lifetime Capital Gains exemption announced in the federal budget this week. The exemption, which helps farmers reduce their tax burden when transferring ownership of farm assets, has been raised to $1 million... Read More
Ontario is creating a new Beijing-based agri-food trade advisor position with a goal of further expanding Ontario's agri-food sector reach into the Chinese market. The new in-market trade advisor will be a seasoned food industry professional with business experience in global markets, says the Ontario government. Funding for the position is through Growing Foward 2.... Read More
Ontario's 2015 Agri-Food Trade Mission to China (happening this week) is yielding a new business agreement for one of the province's most iconic edible exports, maple syrup and maple products, says the government of Ontario. Agriculture minister Jeff Leal and minister of international trade Michael Chan recently met with representatives from Ontario's Futurevic Global Sourcing... Read More
Western Canadian farm groups are generally welcoming the increased competition that should result from turning the (incapacitated?) Canadian Wheat Board into a private grain company controlled by Bunge and a Saudi investment company, but producer groups are still seeking answers about the farmer ownership part of the deal. The agreement announced this week will see... Read More
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced the government’s commitment to “streamline and modernize” the way crop varieties are registered in Canada. These proposed changes will now enter into a consultation period ahead of the actual regulatory changes being drafted. Most major field crops grown in Canada are subject to Variety Registration, such as wheat, canola,... Read More
Less than three years after the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk, the CWB is on the verge of becoming a private grain company controlled by a joint venture between global grain business Bunge and the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company — the Saudi Arabian government’s primary agricultural investment arm. The new... Read More