Same Old For Tories In Throne Speech

The two months the Harper government spent recal ibrat ing its plans and priorities for Parliament translated into more of the same policies for agriculture and other resource industries. In the throne speech at the start of the new session of Parliament, the government promised “to ensure the freedom of choice for which Western barley

Ont. Processor To Buy Lilydale In Meats Merger

Toronto-area meat processor Sofina Foods has signed a $75-million cash-and-bonds deal to take over Edmonton poultry packer Lilydale Inc. Privately held Sofina, which processes and sells pork, beef and poultry products for the domestic, U. S. and Japanese markets, has offered Lilydale’s shareholders $10 cash and about $5.43 in debentures per share. The buyer will


Putin Tells U. S. To Observe Poultry Safety Rules

Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned Jan. 14 Moscow will find alternative poultry import sources if the United States, Russia’s top supplier, does not observe new safety rules. The comment adds to challenges that experts from the two countries would have to overcome at talks next week. Washington has said new Russian measures would have

East-West Biosecurity Divide

The federal government seems to be on the verge of announcing money to run an around-the-clock biosecurity centre at West Hawk Lake near the Manitoba-Ontario border. West Hawk has been chosen as the dividing point between Western and Eastern Canada should there be an outbreak of a foreign animal disease. Canadians hope to convince trading


Russia Partly Lifts Ban On Canadian Pork

SASKATOON/REUTERS Russia has partly lifted its ban on Canadian pork, easing one of the major trade impediments that have been straining Canada’s pork industry since the outbreak of H1N1 flu in April. Russia has lifted its ban on imports of pork from the province of Quebec, Canada’s International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said July 3.

K-State release

A comprehensive study conducted by agricultural economists at Kansas State University and Michigan State University revealed areas in which the beef industry can concentrate its efforts to strengthen beef demand, despite a sagging global and U. S. economy. The study showed that nutrition, safety and convenience remain important factors when it comes to shoppers’ attitudes


U. S. Lawmaker Blasts China Food Safety

The United States has “serious issues” with food imports from China and needs to do more to prevent contaminated products from entering the U. S. food supply, an influential House lawmaker said March 18. At the same time, Washington needs to toughen up its own outdated food safety laws after a series of food recalls

China Warns Of WTO Challenge On Poultry

“Frankly, we’re not opposed to China seeking relief from the WTO, and we wish them success” – JIM SUMNER, USA POULTRY AND EGG EXPORT COUNCIL China said March 11 that it plans to file a complaint at the World Trade Organization about a U. S. law, renewed this month, that blocks imports of Chinese poultry


“Low-path” bird flu found in B. C.

An H5 strain of avian flu has been confirmed on a commercial turkey farm in southern British Columbia’s Fraser River valley, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported Saturday. “Tests to date indicate that the strain of AI in this case is low pathogenic,” the agency said in a release. “Further testing is underway to confirm