The federal New Democrats have promoted their deputy agriculture critic to the lead post in their new shadow cabinet. NDP leader Tom Mulcair on Thursday announced Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the MP for the central Quebec riding of Berthier–Maskinonge since 2011, as the party’s critic for agriculture and agri-food, replacing defeated Niagara-area MP Malcolm Allen. Brosseau, […] Read more
NDP’s deputy ag critic moves to first chair
Alltech to buy up Canadian feed firm Masterfeeds
Animal nutrition firm Alltech is set to make itself one of Canada’s top animal food and livestock feed players, with a deal in hand to buy the stake in Masterfeeds it doesn’t already own. Alltech, a Lexington, Kentucky-based international firm in aggressive acquisition mode, announced Tuesday it will buy all outstanding shares of Masterfeeds, Inc. […] Read more
Japan, White House rule out re-opening TPP pact
Reuters — Japan and the Obama administration on Tuesday rejected calls from some U.S. lawmakers to consider re-opening a Pacific trade deal and said any renegotiation attempt could scupper the whole pact. “Renegotiation is not an option,” Caroline Atkinson, Obama’s deputy national security adviser for international economics, said on a call hosted by the Atlantic […] Read more
MacAulay favours TPP deal, poised for trade fight with U.S.
Winnipeg | Reuters –– Canada’s new agriculture minister said Tuesday he likely will support the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiated by the previous government, and is inclined to retaliate against the U.S. over a long-standing meat-labeling dispute. The Liberal government, elected last month, has not taken a firm position yet on whether it will support TPP, which […] Read more
Manitoba extends fertilizing deadline to Saturday
A warmer-than-usual November has allowed Manitoba’s conservation and water stewardship department to delay its winter fertilizing ban until Saturday (Nov. 14). With soil temperatures not yet at the freezing point, the province announced Monday it would extend its deadline for spreading of phosphorus and/or nitrogen, including synthetic fertilizers and/or manure, to Nov. 14 from Nov. […] Read more
Kraft Heinz to shut SW Ont. salad dressing plant
Merged food and condiment giant Kraft Heinz will shut down its salad dressing and sauce factory in southwestern Ontario and six other U.S. plants in a bid to cut its “excess capacity.” The company announced Wednesday it will shut its Richardson Foods plant at St. Marys, Ont., which makes and sells salad dressings, sauces and […] Read more
White House may have to renegotiate on TPP, senator says
Washington | Reuters –– A key U.S. senator said on Friday the Obama administration may have to renegotiate parts of a Pacific trade pact, heralding a tough battle to win support in Congress. The administration notified lawmakers Thursday it plans to sign the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, starting a countdown to a congressional vote that could […] Read more
TPP deal to pressure Canadian dairy farmers, Saputo says
Reuters — Canadian farmers will get squeezed between new trade deals that allow more dairy imports to enter the country and slow-growing domestic consumption, Saputo’s CEO said on Thursday. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is expected to open access for New Zealand, the U.S. and other countries to 3.5 per cent of the Canadian market, […] Read more
Canada to review TPP pact, seek public input
Ottawa | Reuters –– Canada’s new Liberal government will review a landmark Pacific trade deal negotiated by the outgoing Conservatives and wants public input on the accord, Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said Thursday. Some Canadian dairy farmers and auto workers say their jobs could be threatened by the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, which seeks to cut […] Read more
California considers adding meat to cancer-alert list
Reuters — California is examining new World Health Organization findings to determine whether to add red meat and foods such as hot dogs, sausages and bacon to a cancer-alert list, setting the stage for a potential battle with the meat industry over warning labels. The inclusion of meat and processed meat on the list could […] Read more
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