A steadily rising carbon tax has a lot of Western Canada’s grain farmers wondering how they’ll compete in world markets against competitors not subjected to a similar tax. “I think the world market is also looking towards a greener economy and always more sustainable agriculture,” federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said when the question was
Bibeau promises help to farmers on rising carbon tax
Funds expected to help farmers cut emissions
Province eyes Agristability costs
The federal government is proposing enhancements but the Prairie provinces fear it could be too expensive
Manitoba farm groups generally like the recently proposed improvements to the AgriStability program, but the provincial government is less positive. The changes won’t be implemented unless a majority of provincial governments agree, including at least one from the Prairies, which some see as unlikely due to the extra cost. Meanwhile, two agricultural economists say the
Pedersen touts margin-based insurance as alternative to AgriStability
Manitoba's ag minister says the program would be more bankable for farmers
Blaine Pedersen isn’t a big AgriStability supporter. Neither are most farmers, but while many farm groups have been pushing to fix the farm support program, Manitoba’s minister of agriculture and resource development has been exploring four alternatives, including a margin-based insurance program that might be able to replace AgriStability, also a margin-based program. Canada’s agriculture
Economist says provinces should consider Bibeau’s AgriStability proposal
Farmers are operating in a less stable environment and improving AgriStability reduces calls for ad hoc aid
The federal government’s proposed improvements to AgriStability will cost it — and provincial governments — more money. But they need to be considered because Canadian agriculture and downstream industries need stability, says economist Al Mussell, with Agri-Food Economic Systems in Guelph, Ont. “The risk situation has got significantly different,” he said in an interview Dec.
CWB class-action suit a step closer to litigation
Manitoba Court of Appeal overrules lower court, allows case to seek certification
A proposed class-action lawsuit against the federal government and G3, alleging millions of dollars of farmers’ money was improperly used to privatize the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) in 2012, is a step closer to certification and litigation, says Stewart Wells, chair of the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board, which is backing the suit. The
Fewer, bigger farms bad for farmers, Canada: policy paper
But one ag economist says government intervention won’t stop the trend and will make farmers less competitive
The number of Manitoba farms peaked in 1941 and ever since they’ve been getting bigger in size and fewer in number — a trend that shows no signs of stopping. Some call that progress, others preposterous. Darrin Qualman is among the latter. The National Farmers Union’s (NFU) director of Climate Crisis Policy and Action says
AgriStability proposal could have hidden cost, Pedersen warns
Manitoba's ag minister warns Bibeau's plan may hurt crop insurance, AgriInvest funding
Ottawa’s proposal for an improved AgriStability program could give farmers short-term gain for long-term pain, Manitoba’s agriculture minister Blaine Pedersen warns. At the online federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting on Friday, federal Agriculture Minister Marie Claude Bibeau proposed dropping AgriStability’s maximum reference margin, and increasing the compensation rate from 70 to 80 per cent retroactively this
FCC identifies export, market diversification opportunities for Canadian food
The ag lender’s latest report highlights canola oil, pork, potato products, crab meat
Canada is already a major exporter of agricultural goods, food and beverages — but increasing food and beverage exports is still one of Canada’s biggest trade opportunities, says Farm Credit Canada (FCC). And by diversifying exports farmers will become less dependent on current major markets reducing their financial risk. “When borders close for any number of reasons due to trade tensions or shock caused by disease
CFIA wants farmer feedback on cancelling variety registrations
It’s part of the upcoming modernization of the Seeds Act
The process for cancelling crop variety registrations will be part of the upcoming ‘modernization’ of Canada’s Seeds Act — a move welcomed by some farm groups that want continued access to farm-saved seed without an additional royalty attached. “We want to hear from everyone involved with seeds, everyone who has a stake in the regulations, whether or not it is
Grain Growers of Canada lobbies Parliament Hill
Agriculture can help restart Canada’s economy and the federal government can help by addressing some issues
Agriculture can help revitalize Canada’s post-COVID economy, but the federal government should clear the track for the sector. That means updating regulations to encourage technological innovation, improving market access for agricultural exports and recognizing farm practices that help the environment, says the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC). The organization, which represents 15 regional, provincial and national grain farmer groups,
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