The Canadian Food Inspection Agency thinks it’s on the home stretch of its overhaul of food safety regulations but the food industry says there’s still work to be done. CFIA says the revamp will finally compete the implementation of the Safe Food for Canadians Act passed by the Harper government in 2012 and it’s planning
Food processors spy shortcomings in CFIA regulatory plan
There are five key shortcomings that need to be fixed, food industry reps say
Soy Canada charts ambitious growth plan
The industry organization wants to see Canadian soybean production double in a decade
Soy Canada has unveiled a plan to encourage soybean production to nearly double to 10 million acres by 2027 and set in motion growth in the crushing sector rather than exporting raw beans. Soy Canada’s directors have endorsed a comprehensive strategic market readiness plan that is the first “to involve the entire soybean value chain,
Agriculture can go green
Farmers should think globally, act locally on climate change
When it comes to grappling with environmental issues, agriculture isn’t all that different. The old environmental mantra of think globally, act locally is the best way to approach the impact of agriculture on climate change, say two experts from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Agriculture is projected to be the second most
Reaching consumers a complicated challenge for the agri-food sector
Consumers are tribal these days, which makes talking to them tough
Farmers and food companies striving to better connect with consumers need to prepare for dealing with a diverse audience, says the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI). “There is no single consumer group,” the centre says in a report on its 2017 Public Trust Survey on public attitudes on food issues. “Today’s consumers are diverse,
Farm equipment manufacturers looking to boost exports
These manufacturers are a small-town Canada success story and major employers for their home communities
Canada’s farm machinery makers want to grow their export market in the coming years, a development they say would be a good news story for rural Canada as a whole. “Canadian-made farm equipment is among the highest quality and most sought out in the world,” Leah Olson, president of the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC),
Health Canada proposes some neonic restrictions
Health Canada is proposing some restrictions on the use of three neonic pesticides for horticultural production but they would still be registered for use on field crops such as corn and soybeans. Meanwhile the department will continue working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California on the impact of the pesticides
Canola Growers calls for co-ordinated food policy
The national rethink of food policy is a perfect opportunity to get rid of a conflicting regulatory and promotional mishmash
The federal government needs to get its house in order if it wants an effective national food policy. In particular it needs to provide more co-ordinated policies for farmers, according to Jack Froese, president of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, speaking recently to the Commons agriculture committee in Ottawa. The problem isn’t a lack of
Morneau pulls back on tax changes
The government says it will consult with farmers and other small businesses on intergenerational transfers
The federal government is withdrawing several controversial tax changes and will consult with farmers and other small businesses on rules that could make intergenerational transfers of family enterprises simpler, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced Oct. 19. He capped a week of backing down on tax changes affecting farmers, fishers and other small businesses by announcing
Ritz leaves lasting legacy
The colourful and often controversial agriculture minister undoubtedly left his mark
In time Gerry Ritz will receive his due for his accomplishments as federal agriculture minister, an eight-year stint that marked the agri-food sector’s emergence from obscurity to growing recognition as a powerhouse of the Canadian economy. Although Ritz handily held his riding in the 2015 election and switched to being international trade critic, being in
CETA takes effect as ag frets details
Significant barriers remain to any real progress in accessing the European market for food products
With a flurry of press releases and a ceremony at the Port of Montreal, a new chapter in Canada’s economic history has begun to unfold as Canada’s trade deal with Europe came into effect. The Canada-Europe Trade Agreement (CETA) took provisional effect Sept. 21, even as the third round of the NAFTA renegotiations kicked off