(OntLA.on.ca)

Ontario ag minister to get new powers on farm programs

Ontario’s minister of agriculture is expected to get direct authority to set up farm programming, as part of a legislative package resurrected from this spring to cut regulatory red tape. Provincial Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid on Tuesday reintroduced the Burden Reduction Act, a package of amendments meant to “reduce regulatory burdens and practices that

Ontario to scale back renewable energy purchases

Toronto | Reuters –– Ontario will scale back its purchase of renewable power in a move expected to result in savings of up to $3.8 billion from a 2013 forecast, the provincial government said on Tuesday. It’s not clear consumers will benefit directly, though the province’s Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault told a news conference a



Test feed grains for best results

The weather this growing season is translating into feed grain quality issues

One of Western Canada’s leading grain quality testers says early harvest samples are showing a high risk this year for potential feed quality issues. Canadian Bio-Systems, of Calgary, is advising livestock operations and feed mills to take steps to safeguard feed quality and livestock performance. “The risk of feed grain quality issues that can affect


(EC.europa.eu)

EU bids to seal CETA as U.S. deal prospects fade

Bratislava | Reuters –– European Union ministers took steps Friday to approve a contentious free trade deal with Canada, while France and Austria demanded that talks towards a similar agreement with the United States should stop. Both deals have triggered demonstrations by unions and protest groups who say they will spark a “race to the

(Cia.gov)

Canada, China agree to tighten trade ties

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada and China said Thursday they would start exploratory talks on a free trade pact, but gave few details about a possible extradition treaty for Chinese fugitives which has triggered criticism in Canada. Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, elected last year, is trying to improve ties and increase trade with


(EC.europa.eu)

EU, Canada seek to win over CETA doubters with declaration

Vienna/Brussels | Reuters — Canada’s trade minister and the European Union’s trade chief sought Wednesday to overcome the doubts of Austria and other EU members over a planned EU-Canada free trade deal, with a declaration spelling out the limits of the contentious pact. Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaking in Vienna, said the legally binding




A view from a promotional video for Z Tags’ Z2 product line. Sources tell Reuters that Z Tags’ Swiss parent, Datamars, is being prepared for sale. (ZTags.com)

Z Tags owner Datamars reportedly up for sale

Frankfurt | Reuters — Buyout group Columna Capital is preparing its Swiss animal tagging group Datamars for a sale in a potential deal that could be worth as much as over 300 million Swiss francs (C$404 million), two people close to the deal said. The private equity investor has asked investment advisory boutique Evercore to