Please, let’s not win again

Traceability is a fact of life for almost every other commodity that consumers buy; yet somehow we have not embraced traceability’s potential in the world of food. I cannot buy an iPhone that does not have complete traceability back to its basic components; yet what we put into our bodies is rarely traceable to source.

Industry representatives give go-ahead to keep developing a strategy for Canadian beef

Trio of leaders in beef sector gives first look at skeletal framework, gets input from summit attendees

The broad outlines of a plan to revitalize the Canadian beef industry received a welcome reception at a recent industry summit in Calgary. After stinging critique of their sector by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute last fall, Kim McConnell, Dave Andrews and John Kolk were asked in November to consult with industry players and create


Growth lies with finished products, not commodities

Canada’s once huge trade surplus in farm and food products has fallen into almost a deficit position

Canada suffers from “a commodity mentality” and needs to export more processed foods, says the chair of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. The country is also missing the boat in servicing the fast-growing economies in Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe, says Ted Bilyea, a former executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Foods. “Currently, half of



Food industry spoiling through lack of innovation

Canadian food companies are falling behind competitors in other countries because they are failing to innovate, says a new report from the Conference Board of Canada. “When it comes to innovation, the Canadian food industry is content to compete for a bronze medal,” says Daniel Munro, a researcher with the board’s Centre for Food in

Canada losing ground as food exporter

Despite being an agricultural powerhouse, Canada is losing ground as a supplier of food products to the rest of the world, says a new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. Last year Canada imported $6.3 billion more food products and beverages than it exported — and the deficit has grown steadily since 2004 when



Feds hope for Growing Forward deal this month

After two years of largely behind-the-scenes discussion, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz hopes to strike this month for a framework agreement with the provinces on the next version of Growing Forward. In a news release, Ritz said a wide variety of views has been heard. “Canadians have spoken on the future direction of agriculture and governments


Food strategy missing from ag committee report

The Commons agriculture committee is backing calls for a national food strategy, but says there’s not time to develop one before the launch of the Growing Forward Two program next April. “It’s really a different issue from Growing Forward, which is a slate of programs to help farmers,” said Tory MP Larry Miller, the committee’s

Pork council honours Rempel and Flaten

The Manitoba Pork Council has honoured Marg Rempel of Ste. Anne with its award of distinction in recognition of her outstanding contributions to agriculture through her passionate commitment and tireless efforts. “Her accomplishments and vast contributions have had far-reaching global impact, but perhaps it’s the motivation to her work that impresses most,” the council’s citation