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

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

Australia expects ‘favourable decision’ from China on barley
Heavy tariffs in place since 2020
Sydney | Reuters — Australia is expecting a positive decision over the next two weeks from China to fully settle a dispute over barley tariffs, Trade Minister Don Farrell said Thursday. “We are expecting in the next couple of weeks a favourable decision on the tariffs that has prevented Australian barley going into China,” Farrell […] Read more

Bunge deal for Viterra to boost oilseed dominance, renewable diesel potential
Canada's Competition Bureau pledges to review deal
Chicago | Reuters — Bunge’s planned acquisition of Viterra would make the world’s biggest oilseed crusher even more dominant and secure a larger role in the expanding renewable diesel industry, although it may face competition hurdles. Under the deal to create an agricultural giant worth about $34 billion including debt, Bunge’s crushing capacity will increase […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Saskatchewan pulses dealing with dryness
Too early to know what effect grasshoppers, smoke will have
MarketsFarm – Seeding went well across the province thanks to hot and dry temperatures following a cool spring, said Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SaskPulse) executive director Carl Potts. However, the dry conditions are still cause for concern. “A later-than-normal start, but we wrapped up seeding within that normal window that growers typically do,” Potts said. “(It […] Read more

Canada extends Ukraine tariff-free access
Access to supply-managed sectors tightened
Winnipeg | Reuters — Canada on Friday extended Ukraine’s tariff-free access for most goods, but tightened access for eggs, poultry and dairy — sectors protected under the Canadian supply-management system. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said tariff relief for Ukrainian goods such as steel — a temporary measure started a year ago — would continue for […] Read more

Canada gets in on U.S. trade challenge of Mexico’s GM corn ban
Canada to have third party role in CUSMA dispute consultations
A U.S. challenge under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA), against Mexico’s planned ban on genetically modified corn, will now also have Canada at the table. Rob Stewart, Canada’s deputy minister for international trade, wrote Friday to U.S. and Mexican trade officials, formally announcing Canada’s intent to take part in the CUSMA dispute settlement consultations […] Read more

International help rolls in to fight unyielding Canadian wildfires
Almost 80 of Quebec's fires currently out of control
Ottawa | Reuters — Allies around the world are promising to boost support for Canada’s fight against hundreds of blazes amid the country’s worst-ever start to wildfire season, which is fueling concerns about the worsening consequences of climate change. Forest fires continued to burn across Canada on Thursday, forcing thousands of people from their homes […] Read more

Bison industry expanding, becoming mainstream
Bison meat emerging from 'seasonal' perception
MarketsFarm — The Canadian bison industry has been through some difficult times during the last few years but is now emerging from those doldrums, according to Manitoba Bison Association president Robert Johnson. “Between the two drought years and the COVID-19 pandemic, then high feed prices, probably the last two years have been pretty crappy for […] Read more

A hot, dry Prairie June ahead
El Nino pattern could arrive
MarketsFarm — June is expected to see a continuation of the hot and dry weather most of the Canadian Prairies has experienced in May, according to Scott Kehler, chief scientist for Weatherlogics. “It looks like late spring/early summer is pretty hot across almost all of Western Canada. The Prairies are all above normal [temperature-wise],” Kehler […] Read more

Taiwan pledges full access for Canadian beef
Market to reopen in 'a couple weeks,' minister says
Canadian beef exporters can expect to regain full market access to Taiwan within the next couple of weeks, Canada’s international trade minister said Thursday. Posting on Twitter Thursday from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers’ meeting in Detroit, Mary Ng said Taiwanese officials have confirmed the decision, which she hailed as “great news […] Read more