When news announcers talk about "geo-political uncertainty," or "bi-lateral trade disputes," it all seems quite remote from the lives of most people. For Canadian farmers, though, it often hits very close to home because the overwhelming majority of Canadian agricultural production is exported. This is why when news that one of the Canada's largest agriculture... Read More
Category: Politics
Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada (CCC), says the fundamental strength and importance of Canada's canola trade with China remains, but the recent finding of "hazardous pests" that has shut down Richardson International's exports into the country is a "difficult thing" for the entire industry. At this point, the pests of concern... Read More
It has been a tumultuous 48 hours for the Canadian canola industry. After news broke that China had pulled Richardson International's approval to ship into the country, we learn today via Reuters that now China is claiming that they discovered "hazardous pests" in shipments from Richardsons. If we can all agree that this finding" is... Read More
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has had to make some changes to cabinet, following the resignation of Jody Wilson-Raybould (and subsequent testimony regarding the SNC-Lavalin controversy) from the Veterans Affairs post. Now former Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay has been moved to Veteran Affairs, while Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie was... Read More
In a move the province says should net Albertans a better price for energy resources found in Alberta, Premier Rachel Notley announced her government has made a deal with Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP) railways. The lease agreement of roughly 4,400 rail cars will move up to 120,000 barrels per day by 2020.... Read More
There's not a lot of change between the existing North American Free Trade Agreement and the newly minted, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for Canada's beef industry. And the political and producer group powers that be is OK with that but wants very much to see ratification move forward. In the absence of ratification, American and... Read More
President Donald Trump is set to increase U.S. tariffs to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent on roughly $200 billion worth of Chinese imported goods if there's no trade deal in place by one minute passed midnight, March 2. Although just this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would be... Read More
Why do U.S. farmers support President Donald Trump so much? It's the most common question I get from the audience following a keynote. At one time, I thought the answer would evolve along with his support based on trade and ethanol policies. I was wrong, and I am totally willing to admit it. Previously, just... Read More
Speakers from all over the country and the world are brought to FarmTech, and for one of this year's keynote speakers, they didn't have to go far to find someone great to talk about politics. Tasha Kheiriddin, a Global News Radio host and political pundit from Toronto, Ont., says she was quite impressed with what... Read More
In an effort to keep its producers at the top of the global stage, the Manitoba government unveiled a first-of-its kind provincial protein strategy. The strategy has several prongs and will help both animal and plant protein development in the face of global demand, according to Manitoba Agriculture minister Ralph Eichler. “With world demand continuing... Read More