a cargo ship being loaded

CETA deal reaches key milepost

The Canada-EU agreement could 
soon be ratified

After almost 17 months, Canada and the European Union have finally agreed on a legal text for a proposed free trade deal, raising hopes it will be ratified by the end of this year and in effect in 2017. The conclusion of the legal text was announced by Chrystia Freeland, minister of international trade and

cattle in a feedlot

COOL demise not affecting livestock trade

Industry officials say they are glad it’s gone but the effects aren’t noticeable yet

The end of the U.S. country-of-origin labelling program hasn’t translated into an export boon for Canadian cattle and pig producers, but they’re still glad that border impediment is gone. Brian Perillat, manager and senior analyst at Canfax, the market analysis division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), said in an interview that it’s hard to


border lineup (trucks) - Glen Nicoll
051110.12

COOL demise a costly victory for Canadian producers

It took eight years and billions of dollars, but ultimately trade law prevailed in securing the labelling law’s repeal

UPDATED: Dec. 29 – After nearly eight years and millions of dollars spent fighting it at the World Trade Organization and billions in lower prices for Canadian beef and hog producers, the U.S. mandatory country-of-origin labelling program has been repealed. The end came Dec. 18 when both houses of the U.S. Congress passed a massive

Animal industry efficiency and environmental sustainability are improving.

Livestock sector has multi-faceted plan to tackle climate changes

The industry is tackling the challenge — and its critics — by being proactive

The climate change conference in Paris brought together world leaders and countless economic organizations vowing to improve the environment. Among them was the International Meat Secretariat, which represents livestock and meat groups. Jurgen Preugschas, former chairman of the Canadian Pork Council, is chairman of the IMS Sustainable meat committee. “We are working together with many


Pork agency hearings set for 2016

Pork agency hearings set for 2016

The proposed promotion and research agency would be funded by farmer levies

The Farm Products Council of Canada has scheduled public hearings for Calgary and Montreal in 2016 on the proposed national pork promotion and research agency. The sessions will be in Calgary Jan. 19 and Montreal Feb. 16. The council has been collecting written submissions for the last few months on the proposal for an agency

FPCC to hold hearings on pork agency

FPCC to hold hearings on pork agency

A new levy would also be collected from imported pork and pork products

The Farm Products Council of Canada will hold public hearings on a proposed national pork promotion and research agency funded by farmer levies. It would replace provincial bodies across the country and impose levies on imported pork and pork products. The council is currently collecting comments on the agency developed by the Canadian Pork Council.


Federal candidates need to understand the challenges facing today’s hog industry

Federal candidates need to understand the challenges facing today’s hog industry

Market access, labour and financing issues threaten to undermine its future

Over 7,000 pig farms in Canada produce 25.52 million animals a year and generate over $13 billion in economic activity, making the country’s swine industry the fourth-largest source of farm cash receipts of any agricultural commodity. In 2014, over 1.14 million tonnes of pork and pork products valued at over $3.7 billion were exported to

pigs

COOL decision down to the fine points

An arbitration panel heard widely different interpretations of how much damage was done

Canada has made its final pitch to a World Trade Organization panel on the billions of dollars of damage beef and pork producers say they have suffered due to the U.S. country-of-origin labelling (COOL) program. Now it awaits a decision on what level of retaliatory tariffs it can impose on imports of American food and


Pork industry wants next federal government to improve risk management

Pork industry wants next federal government to improve risk management

Manitoba pork producers are urged to speak to local election candidates 
about their vision for the industry’s future

Canadians have heard all about the economy, and they’ve listened to announcements on terrorism and childcare — although not necessarily at the same time — but those on the campaign trail have said little about agriculture in the leadup to the federal election. Now, the Canadian Pork Council and its provincial counterpart are urging pork

While the farmer constituency may be small, CFA president Ron Bonnett says the economic activity it generates is over $106 billion each year.

Federal election gaining attention with farm groups

Ag issues will be aired during a candidates’ debate set for Sept. 30

Clear trade rules, measures to manage financial risk and access to sufficient workers are key issues among farm organizations that have released their positions for the Oct. 19 federal election. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Pork Council and Cereals Canada have all waded into the campaign with policy statements.