Proposals to increase a crop chemical’s maximum residue limits (MRLs) on foods and food crops in Canada can again seek federal approval, after being put on temporary hold two years ago. Among several other changes, a planned new package of federal regulatory amendments will put a gradual end to a “pause” imposed in August 2021 […] Read more
Feds lift ‘pause’ on increases in crop chemical MRLs
New set of rules also calls for 'cosmetic' pesticide use to be banned on federal lands
Feds extend Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program
Pathway to permanent residency program for TFWs given two more years
Reading Time: 3 minutes Applicants residing in Canada can either meet the job offer requirement, including the median wage, or the education requirement, including verification of credentials.
What happens when the grain deal fails?
Economic and political unrest abroad will affect Canadians
Reading Time: 3 minutes Russia is using food as a weapon of war, one designed to compel Ukraine and its allies to cave to Russian demands for the open export of its own grain and fertilizer, and subsequently, the import of great quantities of cash for the Russian war chest. While there is a UN-brokered deal for the continued […] Read more
Canada Bread fined $50 million over price-fixing
'Leniency' settlement follows breadmaker's guilty plea
A storied Canadian producer of bread and bakery products has a month to pay a $50 million fine for price-fixing in an ongoing federal probe which still has eyes on several major retailers. Ontario’s Superior Court on Wednesday sentenced Toronto-based Canada Bread Co. after the company pled guilty to four counts of fixing bread prices […] Read more
Canada retools inflation baskets with more focus on food, gas
Snowblowers and barbecues in, DVD players out
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s national statistics agency on Tuesday revealed new weights for the basket of goods and services in its Consumer Price Index, giving more prominence to changes in the prices of food and gasoline. The reweighting, which Statistics Canada carries out every year, has historically had only a marginal impact on the […] Read more
Canada warns VCOOL would sabotage shared Canada-U.S. goals, supply chains
The Canadian government has submitted its views on proposed U.S. food labelling rules
Proposed U.S. country of origin labelling rules run contrary to mutual Canada and U.S. goals to reduce inflation, improve food security and build resilient supply chains, according to a submission from the Canadian government to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “One of the great strengths of the U.S.-Canada bilateral relationship is the successful integration of […] Read more
Challenges and rewards greet Alberta craft maltsters
Value-added ventures beckon families back to the farm
Reading Time: 4 minutes At the end of a recent forum on craft malting, podcaster Don Tse asked his guests a surprising question: “Are you happy with your business decisions?” For three rural Albertans involved in the burgeoning industry, the consensus was “yes, but.” Yes, they’re happy with their choice, but anyone hoping to do the same had better […] Read more
Philippines to host Canada’s Indo-Pacific ag office
AAFC/CFIA base to be set up in Manila, Bibeau says
Canada’s agriculture department and food safety agency will carry out their part of the federal government’s Indo-Pacific strategy from a new office in Manila, Philippines. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the office’s location Wednesday in Ottawa during a meeting with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), which represents Canada’s export-dependent ag commodity groups on […] Read more
Complex patchwork of global rules on crop residues makes vigilance important
Keeping track isn’t easy, which is why Keep It Clean puts out an annual list of potential trade risks
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Growers are again being reminded about proper use of crop protection products and their potential impact on trade. Keep It Clean, an initiative of several commodity organizations, recently released its annual list of products that may cause trouble with export sales. “We are export dependant,” Greg Bartley, director of crop protection and […] Read more
The trade take on CFIA’s gene-editing decision
Canada joins many countries friendly to GE crops, but some regions and organic markets will continue to opt out
Reading Time: 3 minutes When it comes to grain trade, systems that provide transparency and choice for customers will likely continue to be important as more gene-edited crops hit the market. “We’re working proactively on some of these approaches,” said Krista Zuzak, director of crop protection and production with Cereals Canada. On May 3, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau […] Read more