Canadian fruit and vegetable growers shipping produce to the U.S. have just lost a key piece of insurance against U.S. buyers who skip out on their bills. The Fresh Produce Alliance (FPA), representing the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC), announced Friday that Washington
Canadian produce growers lose U.S. default protection
Neonic makers targeted in planned beekeeper class action
The major makers of neonicotinoid pesticides are the targets in a proposed class action suit on behalf of Canadian beekeepers and honey producers, alleging negligence and claiming over $450 million in damages. Siskinds, a London, Ont. law firm specializing in class actions, filed a statement of claim Tuesday in Ontario Superior Court in Windsor on
Record-high pork values to cushion Russia’s sanctions
Russia’s retaliatory sanctions on Canadian agrifood, while disappointing from where Manitoba’s pork producers sit, aren’t expected to hurt the sector in the near term. Following a declaration from President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday confirmed the government has “completely banned the importation” of beef, pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry,
Arbitrator sets out labour deal for CN conductors
Updated, June 23, 2014 — Binding terms are now in place for a few years’ labour peace between Canadian National Railway (CN) and its conductors and yardpeople. CN announced Friday it has received, and will “immediately” start carrying out, the decisions made by federally-appointed arbitrator Michel Picher. Picher’s rulings are binding on the company and on
Sustainability, health, development hooked into NDP food plan
With about a year and a half to go before a federal election, the opposition New Democrats have mapped out a overarching food strategy roping in agriculture, rural affairs, environment and nutrition policy. NDP agriculture critic Malcolm Allen and deputy ag critic Ruth Ellen Brosseau on Wednesday launched their party’s “pan-Canadian” food strategy, under the
Mexican beef packers approved to export to Canada
Four processing plants in Mexico are the first to ship beef from that country to Canada under new export certificates finalized last month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed. While Mexico’s agriculture secretariat (SAGARPA) announced in mid-February that CFIA has recognized Mexico’s federal inspection system as equivalent for beef processing, the certificates were finalized
U.S. appeal court won’t block COOL for livestock groups
Canadian, U.S. and Mexican livestock producer and processor groups, seeking an injunction to block the U.S. government’s latest version of its country-of-origin labelling (COOL) rule, won’t get it from their latest appeal. The U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia circuit, on Friday affirmed a U.S. District Court ruling last September which rejected the injunction
Sulfonylurea-tolerant canola eyed for 2016 launch
A U.S. genetics firm has picked up Canadian approval for a trait it plans to use to breed non-genetically modified canola tolerant to sulfonylurea herbicides. San Diego-based Cibus Global last week announced plant novel trait (PNT) approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada for its product, which it’s branded as SU Canola.
Ontario court dismisses raw-milk appeal
An Ontario dairyman’s long-fought legal scrap to be able to distribute unpasteurized (“raw”) milk has hit another wall — this time a dismissal by Ontario’s Court of Appeal. The decision, released Tuesday, upholds a September 2011 decision from the provincial Court of Justice against raw-milk advocate Michael Schmidt. [Related story] The 2011 ruling overturned previous
Vigilance needed more than ever now that PED in province
While industry and provincial officials work to keep it contained, investigations continue into the source of the spread
While provincial and industry officials worked to contain Manitoba’s first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PEDv) this week, attention shifted to a pig plasma feed ingredient as a possible source of transmission. Landmark Feeds, which is owned by Nutreco, issued a statement late last week saying a plasma-based feed additive for newborn piglets is suspected
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
