Update — June 6, 2016 — After failing twice to approve a new license for glyphosate, EU member states did not support a limited 12-18 month extension of the herbicide's current license on Monday. The inability of European Union member countries to come to an agreement over glyphosate could have implications for agriculture on this... Read More
Category: Politics
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced Thursday that Alanna Koch, who has served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture since 2007, has been appointed to the province's top public servant role. Koch will replace Doug Moen as the new Deputy Minister to the Premier effective July 1st. “Alanna Koch has shown tremendous leadership over the past eight... Read More
The federal government is "purposefully delaying" making a commitment that Canada will participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, says the trade critic for the Official Opposition. Gerry Ritz, who was the agriculture minister when the terms of the TPP were finalized prior to the federal election last fall, says the Liberals appear intent on dragging out... Read More
How will the Ontario government’s $7 billion Climate Change Action Plan affect the province’s agriculture industry? Based on the details released this week in the Globe and Mail, the big jolt would likely come in the form of a phase-out of natural gas in the province. Farm leaders have lobbied hard for the gasification of... Read More
A former cattle producer and owner of a livestock handling equipment business has been tapped to serve as minister of agriculture in the Manitoba's new Progressive Conservative government. Ralph Eichler, MLA for the riding of Lakeside in the south Interlake, was sworn in along with his colleagues in Premier Brian Pallister's cabinet on Tuesday morning... Read More
A RealAgriculture reader poll suggests farmers and the agricultural industry want Grain Farmers of Ontario to continue the fight against the province’s new seed treatment regulations that restrict neonicotinoid use. Last week we asked readers: Should GFO Keep Fighting for Neonic Use? More than 75% of voters who cast ballots in the online poll indicated... Read More
After losing an Ontario Court of Appeal decision on the province's new seed treatment regulations, what strategy should Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) now pursue on the neonic issue? We put the question to GFO chair Mark Brock. We're also interested in your opinion. It appears the farm organization has three strategic options. Let us... Read More
Last week when the Alberta Government released its budget, certain third party agencies and councils were relieved of their duties. Much of the focus was on the death of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA), but there were others put to rest. The Alberta Farm Safety Advisory Council was also cut and dismissed. What?... Read More
Dryness is becoming a serious concern on the western side of the Prairies, as seeding is getting underway. Meanwhile, cold and wet conditions have hampered progress in Ontario. Meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc is one of the people we hear from on this week's podcast. Also, Ontario farmers have lost their court case... Read More
While the confetti and balloons might still be settling at the feet of Brian Pallister (he's really tall), the Progressive Conservative leader and his 39 elected colleagues will quickly find themselves no longer dreaming about holding the reigns for the province. Most Manitoba farmers will have a local MLA in the governing party for the... Read More