Sask. premier headed for China for tariff talks
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he’s headed to China in hopes of persuading Beijing to drop tariffs on Canadian canola.
Last week, China hit Canadian canola seed with preliminary 75.8 per cent duties following an anti-dumping investigation –
part of an ongoing trade dispute.
This, combined with previous tariffs on canola oil and meal, is expected to essentially halt Chinese canola imports.
Moe told media that he’d be in China “in the next couple of weeks” and could have another opportunity for engagement yet this year.
Moe said Saskatchewan would work with the federal government to find a solution to the trade dispute,
and reiterated a call for aid for the canola industry.
Beekeepers frustrated by denial on U.S. bulk bees
The CFIA’s denial of proposals to mitigate risks around importing American packaged bees has frustrated many in that industry.
Some provincial beekeeping groups, including Manitoba and Alberta, have spent years asking the CFIA to reconsider a ban on importing bulk bees from the U.S.
Canadian regulations haven’t allowed those shipments since the 1980s for fear of nasties like American foulbrood and varroa mites. Some honey farmers agree with the CFIA’s assessment. However, others say risks could be managed.
Last year, the CFIA invited the industry to submit risk mitigation ideas. However, those proposals were all smacked down.
Beekeeper Kevin Nixon said the response was frustrating because they don’t have much clarity on what the CFIA is looking for.
Jeremy Olthof of Tees Bees in Alberta suggested it came down to what was more important – a small industry with healthier bees or a growing industry with greater risk of health issues.
Expert argues at-risk species would be better off with farmer-friendly policies
Before the Ontario environmental farm plan was implemented, farmers were given legal assurances that they couldn’t self-incriminate if they reported the conditions on their land. Similar assurances might boost farmers’ engagement in conservation of at-risk species according to recent report.
Conservation biologist Tom Nudds said farmers are worried that they’ll face restrictions if at-risk species are found on their land. This reduces farmer participations in study and management of these species, which leads to poorer data and understanding of at-risk animals. That can lead to delayed action or higher costs for conservationists and governments.
Nudds spoke during a recent panel discussion hosted by the Canadian Agricultural Policy Institute. He said policy makers and the scientific community need to cut landowners some slack in return for land access.
Jeremy Pittman is an associate professor in the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning.
He said in his experience, conservation legislation often inadvertently frames landowners as “bad people.” Recognizing or compensating them for the benefits they provide could help inform science and reduce pressure on species at risk.
